Chapter 24: A Cool reunion

"Alright guy, what is it exactly you need from me? Need a date for the prom? Keys to the ocean? Autograph? ...Oh, why bother. Not like you can understand me anyway. I spent weeks trying to get that one kid to understand a single sentence I've been saying. What hope do you have?"

-"You seem pretty distressed, friend. Is everything alright?"

-"Pichu. Pich-Pichu chu."

-"Communication difficulties? Yeah, I can imagine that would get pretty frustrating."

"Eh?! Woah, okay. You're way more perceptive than the kid. Guess you don't have that whole ranger thing going on for nothing, hey?"

-"Haha, surprised? Understanding pokemon is all part of the job description!"

-"Pichu!" *proud stance*

-"Now then, if it's alright with you, I'd like your help with a few things. For starters, I think it's great what you're doing here, but some of this stuff does belong to the local humans, the people who lived here before this tragedy."

"Right right, I get that. So you want us to sort out what's trash and what's good to return to their rightful owners?"

-"Hm? You seem to already have an idea of what it is I'm asking for. You're a clever one!"

*nods* "Eh, comes with the territory. You can say I've had experience being human."

-"Pi-Pichu?!"

-"What is it, Pichu? Is something the matter?"

*incredulously* -"Pichu, pi. Pichu?"

"Well... it's not something I'm intentionally keeping secret. I'm pretty sure some of my older friends already know just by, you know, being there when it happened. But yeah! I'm a human!"

-"Pi... Pichu!" The little mouse spends a long while talking to their ranger companion. He needs to double back and ask a few things, both of his friend and of Jessie himself. By the end of the hour, both of the two visitors are wearing shocked expressions, staring at the gently bobbing Tentacool with disbelief.

-"This isn't something I've ever heard of happening. Not in recent times anyway. If what you're saying is true then, then I would need to confirm it with the association. I'm sorry to say however, this will take time. We're a bit lacking in manpower given our... current predicament."

"No need to sugar coat it, my guy. Shit's bad. Like I said to your pal here, I'll help however is within my ability. We can handle my problem when things here are sorted out."

-"Hm, it seems like this isn't distressing you at all. Thank you very much for understanding, Tenty." Seeing Jessie cringing, the man bows his head.

-"Ah sorry! That's the name that kid from before gave you, not your real, human name. What is your name, if you don't mind me asking?"

"Well, I've ditched my old last name. Even if I turned back today, I wouldn't want to go home... Just call me Jessie. Oh hey, let me write it out for you!"

The ranger watches with shock, then amusement as the Tentacool writes out his name in perfect handwriting.

-"Jessie. Beautiful name for a girl!"

"Man."

-"Er, really? Sorry! Good name for a guy! I- I'm not making a very good first impression, am I?"

"Could've been better! But whatever, it's nothing new. Honestly though, I'm just jazzed someone actually understands what I'm saying! With the guys by the pier and the kid, my old boss not even noticing I'm gone, no search party..."

-"Easy easy! I can't understand you when you get agitated like that! But I get it, it's a bad situation. But now that someone is aware, we can begin doing something about it. You'll get help, I promise on my badge!"

"...Thanks guy. You to, Pichu."

-"Pichu!"

'After an even more eventful afternoon to an already packed morning, I had to rush to fix some older orders, mostly reallocating supplies and building materials. It's... a lot more than I'm used to. But I did have some experience keeping that slob of a professor organized. So organizing a bunch of wild pokemon wasn't too much of a stretch.'

'Damn, how long has it been since I've thought about my old life? Like really thought about it, and considered going back? I didn't think it was possible for the longest time. But now that I have... DAMNIT! I FORGOT TO ASK HIS NAME!'

'Well, now that I have "what's his name" on my side, I might finally be able to go back! Not back home of course, that door shut itself a long time ago. But back to my old life. No more worrying about where my next meal will come from. No more fighting for my life and my freedom. No more... no more pokemon friends. No more adventures. No more little egg waiting for me to come home. No more people looking up to me, depending on me, needing me. And no more help coming for my friends when that group of bad pokemon show up.'

'Oh sweet Ho-oh, am I actually considering staying a pokemon?!'

Distracted with their train of thought, they barely notice the fish swimming up behind them. *tap tap*

"WHAZAT?! Oh, hey Aurum. Damn, give a guy a warning! Nearly had a heart attack!"

-"Ma-gikarp?"

"You did? Well, sorry. I've had a lot on my mind lately. So uh, what do you need again?"

-"Karp! Magikarp!"

"They're back? Great! I was hoping to see that lovey-Pidovey couple again!"

-"Karp karp karp, Magikarp Magikarp!"

"HOW MANY EGGS?"

-"Magikarp!"

"Oh, I thought you said a thousand. Yeah no, a hundred is pretty normal for fish, isn't it?"

-"Karp." *sage nodding*

"Well, good for them. I assume most of the eggs are gonna stay up that way till they hatch, so it might be a while before we see Spring Jr. swimming around here. So how is the Goldeen?"

The pair busy themselves with talking about their old friend from the pond. It seems so long ago now that they all set out together for the ocean. Almost nostalgic. Spending the last few embers of sunlight together, the old gang enjoy what few hours of free time they can scrape together.