A/N: And here's another chapter! Thank you all for your support and please enjoy!

To Duvarishka: I'm glad you enjoyed it, thank you!

Days

The day Misty is tired

Monday, February 10th

"The Leagues need to continue, and so do the Grand Festivals," Fantina's voice sounded through Misty's headphones as she watched the digital interregional meeting on her video phone. Fantina was shown on the large screen in the center, while her audience – all the Elite Four members and Champions of the regions – were shown in smaller windows below.

The only remaining League-employed ghost type specialist nodded strongly at the camera, though the paleness in her face betrayed her worries. "We need to show we're strong and united and that we aren't afraid of them. The League and Grand Festivals need to go on." Fantina made a flourish and smiled confidently. "The show must go on, mes cheries!"

Misty nodded in appreciation of her words. For all Fantina's knack for flashy showmanship and being dramatic, Misty could appreciate her strength and her wish to continue instead of hiding. Contrary to Morty, who had gone completely off the radar. The only information Leaf had given them was that he was safe, and that he could handle himself.

"As I said before, I agree with Fantina," Cynthia spoke, her window taking Fantina's place in the center of the screen. "In Sinnoh, the League and the Grand Festival will continue. The Wayland Tournament has shown that it possible to do so in these tumultuous times, and we need to stand strong."

Cynthia paused and she had a steely look in her gray eyes when she looked in the camera. "I hope all regions can stand together in this."

"The Indigo League will continue," Leaf said almost immediately, as Misty had known she would. They had already discussed this amongst the Indigo division themselves, and only Lance had been against. "For Johto, the Gym Badges requirement has gone down to seven because of Morty's disappearance, but the League will continue. As will the Grand Festival."

Cynthia nodded in response to her words, after which Wallace voiced his assent that the Hoenn Grand Festival and League would go on as well.

"Alder?" Cynthia asked the Unova Champion when he remained silent.

"Huh? Yes, well, Unova intends to let the official events continue as planned," he answered, sitting up straighter. Perhaps upon seeing the looks of his colleagues, Alder added, "My apologies, I was actually in thought about something else."

Without further prompting, he continued, "There is the case of the division among the public. Some are afraid, and my attention has been directed to the Ghost Pokémon Association. I believe that is the case in other regions as well...?"

"Yes," Wallace said, nodding. "I have not yet been able to look into it much, with the Grand Festival and the League calling for our attention. I don't know if they are as organized in Hoenn as they are in Unova, but I will make sure it will be looked into." Then, after a thoughtful pause, he added, "However, this raises the question whether it is a good thing that the ghost Pokémon owners get support or if the divide is a bad thing."

Misty's eyebrows scrunched together in thought.

"I agree with Wallace," she watched Leaf say. "I'm not sure if these groups are a bad thing. There is a lot of backlash against the ghost Pokémon owners right now. The poor Pokémon already look creepy enough as it is, and now that all victims owned one, they have been called bad omens. I have heard that some owners are being avoided or shunned."

"It's ridiculous," Alder said, his frowning face popping up in the middle of the screen. "It's not as if those Pokémon have anything to do with it. I don't believe it."

"Of course, we know that, Alder," Cynthia said. "But in times of fear, people try to gain control of it, and pointing out a culprit is a way of doing so."

"Exactly," Leaf said. "If there are more victims, I'm afraid that it's only a matter of time before something worse happens."

Misty swallowed, looking at the serious faces of her colleagues on screen.

"I propose all regions look into these organizations," Cynthia said. "We have to keep communicating, we have to prevent further polarization."

Nods from everyone, though Misty had to wonder how exactly they were going to establish that.

"Things have been quiet since Shauntal's murder," Leaf said. "But we have to stay alert. The only way to put an end to this is to catch whoever is behind these attacks."

More agreeing nods, and after some concluding words from Cynthia, Leaf ended the conversation with the other League divisions, leaving only the Indigo division.

She enabled their audio and said to them, "You heard it, the Indigo Conference will go on. We need to show them a strong and united front and it'll be a distraction for the people."

Misty nodded, smiling a bit, relieved. Ash had been working so hard and he needed this, they both did. He had been cooped up with no real challenge for far too long, and she herself had been too busy to spend proper time with him.

"Any questions about that? No?" Barely waiting for a response, Leaf nodded. "Good. Now, keep your eyes peeled for anything unusual and try to enjoy the League."

"And how exactly do you want us to 'prevent further polarization'?" Lance spoke just as she finished.

An irritated frown flashed across Leaf's face before she hid it behind her neutral mask.

"Well, I… If you come across a person who… dislikes ghost Pokémon, try to calm them down or make them see reason. Act normal to Trainers who own ghost Pokémon, and like I said, be on the lookout for anything suspicious." Leaf hesitated. "And be careful in your responses. We don't want to alienate anyone. We have to stay neutral."

Lance looked at Leaf for a moment, before nodding slowly. Misty chewed on the inside of her cheek, thinking about Leaf's words. She understood what Leaf meant, but she couldn't help but feel like it was the easy way out.

"Does anyone else have any questions?" Leaf asked, this time waiting longer. When everyone shook their head, she nodded sharply. "Alright, then. I will keep you updated and stay safe, everyone."

Misty nodded, said her goodbyes, and then logged off. With a sigh, she leaned back in her chair, stretching out on it. Her head felt foggy and her eyelids were drooping after spending so much time looking at a screen. Perhaps the pregnancy had something to do with her lack of energy. At least she wasn't nauseous anymore.

She got up from her chair and stretched her arms up in the air, popping her shoulders. As she walked downstairs, she smelled the delicious smell of food coming from the kitchen and her stomach grumbled.

She found Ash and Pikachu in the kitchen, cooking a pasta. Ash greeted her with a happy kiss and they sat down at the table together.

Hungrily, Misty dug into the meal. She pulled a face when she bit into a piece of too-hard pasta.

"Is it not good?" Ash asked, looking at her almost anxiously.

Misty quickly smiled, piercing another piece of pasta with her fork. "No, it's fine, don't worry."

Ash looked relieved and continued his story about his training of the day. Misty smiled and nodded, feeling too tired to contribute much to the conversation. Ash seemed too caught up in his enthusiasm about the League starting in just two weeks to notice.

As soon as they were done with cleaning up the dishes and feeding their Pokémon, Misty plopped down on the couch.

With a sigh, she closed her eyes, letting her head rest against the cushions.

"Misty?" Ash asked.

"Hm?" she responded, feeling her attention already drifting.

"Never mind."

Misty looked at him through her lashes and she gave him a grateful smile, for giving her the chance to rest. Ash's responding half-smile didn't really register.

A/N: Thank you for reading! I'm not sure if I'm really happy with this chapter, but it'll have to do. Please let me know what you thought about it!

Thank you!