Amanda had woken up feeling both exhausted and oddly refreshed. Where there was a heavy weight around her heart, seemed to had dropped a few pounds. She felt groggy at first, sleep clinging to her body and mind. Awareness coming in a trickle as the memories of the previous evening replayed. Some part of her felt she should be mortified, felt like she should be running from her bed to pack and leave before she could do anymore damage to her family. However, in that moment of resting on her bed, still dressed in her formal dinner clothes, the young woman couldn't find it in herself to care. It was a rare moment of weariness over powering her almost constant anxiety and stress.

Umbreon was awake, but the Dark type seemed content to remain in the silky bedding at Amanda's side. Pichu was still asleep on a satin pillow, tiny snores escaping from the mouse, and Roserade was probably still in his pokeball. So, there wasn't any prompting to get out of bed from her partners. However, her skin felt like glue and dust was sticking to it, and there was no going back to sleep until she had showered.

With all the enthusiasm as a Snorlax during naptime, Amanda peeled herself from her mattress, grabbed a towel and a change of clothes, and trudged into her on suit bathroom. The hot water was wonderful, washing away the dirt, grim and emotions from last night in rivers of warmth. After drying off, she dropped rubbing alcohol in her ears letting them dry out, before inserting her hearing aids. The rotten taste on her tongue was scrubbed off with berry flavored toothpaste, and she parted her hair down the middle of her skull. The black and blue spikes, weighed down by wetness, fell into a chaotic, yet somewhat symmetrical pattern, framing her face and covering her ears.

By the time she walked back into her room, clad in a reverse-tie-dye black t-shirt and blue jeans, Amanda felt refreshed. Umbreon was awake and upon seeing her trainer, gently leapt off the bed and nuzzled Amanda's thigh.

"I'm okay," Amanda mumbled, scratching the dark type's head.

Pichu was still only half awake, the little yellow mouse grumbling at having to get up. Amanda smiled at the electric type fondly. He was never a morning Pokémon.

Her fuzzy socks slipped on the hard wood floors of the manor as Amanda made her way to the kitchen. It was probably a little late to help Mrs. Rose prep breakfast for the twins, but the young mistress of the house couldn't ignore the habit that drove her to move.

Mrs. Rose didn't allow Amanda to help her with the breakfast that morning. Usually, the little elderly cook would at first decline the assistance, but eventually give in and let the young mistress help, however that wasn't the case this morning. Amanda's governess was quiet firm that she wouldn't lift a finger in that kitchen and shoved her out, even getting Absol to escort her away.

Weariness began to seep back in, numbing her senses the further Amanda got from the kitchen. She didn't have a goal to focus on now. No destination either, leaving her entirely at the whim of the two dark types that walking alongside her.

"...I love my island home..."

Amanda blinked, that song was familiar, and the voice was hers. However, the tone of which it was sung...that was from an era long passed.

"...it's my destiny..."

Fear spike in her for a moment. Why was that song playing? Mother hated it. It was banned from the manor, along that show...

"...with you feeling free..."

Confusion bringing her back from her disassociation, Amanda stalked forward. Entering the entertainment lounge before she recognized where in the manor she was.

"That can't be Mandy," Carter spoke.

What was going on?

Upon entering the room, Amanda was met with a rather puzzling sight. Riley was perched in one of the couch corners, Lulu curled up on cushions next to him, seemingly half asleep. Uncle Aaron and Goh were in a game of Checkers, near the window on the right side of the room. Leaving Ash, and the twins on the plush rug in front of the rather large TV screen. Speaking of the TV, why on earth was it playing Melemele Mermaids?!

"Yeah, and Mandy never gets in the water. She can't be a mermaid," Constance said.

Riley laughed, "Believe it or not that is your sister."

The boys looked unconvinced.

"We're not stupid, Riley. We know mermaids don't actually exist," Constance said.

Ash let out a gasp of false horror, "Who told you such blasphemy!?"

"Pika!"

"I did," Amanda said, crossing the threshold in to the room, "No point in hiding the truth from these two, they're smarter than they look."

Amanda could see the concern in the eyes, as everyone finally took full notice of her arrival. The atmosphere suddenly tensed, much to the young woman's exhaustion. She did not want to deal with crazy questions about last night. Amanda opened her mouth to communicate...something, but oddly enough Ash beat her to the punch.

"Yeesh, way to kill the magic Cuz," Ash said, "Cool TV shows like these are supposed to be real until their at least nine."

Amanda picked up on the playful tone and rolled her eyes, "And this is why you shouldn't have younger siblings, Ketchum, you'd let them get away with way too much."

Ash huffed, clearly not offended, and went back to watching the show.

"Why didn't you tell us you were on TV?" Carter asked, Crunchy the Gibble in his arms.

Amanda hummed uncertainly, rubbing the back of her neck, "Just never came up. Would've you have wanted to know?"

The elder sister wasn't expecting her younger brothers' eyes to begin to sparkle. Carter's baby fat filled cheeks stretching into a large excited smile.

"Of course!" her little brother exclaimed, "It's so cool to see someone we know on TV!"

Amanda's brows furrowed, "You see Mother on the news all the time, when she announces big projects remember?"

"The news is boring and stressful," Constance said, "This is a lot cooler."

"But its unrealistic," Amanda said.

"That's what makes it cool!" Carter said, his twin nodding in agreement, before they turned back to the screen.

"Really?" Amanda wondered.

"Hey, don't sell yourself Mandy, it's a good show," Riley said, in which Lulu barked in agreement.

That made Amanda pause, "You watched it?"

"Every episode," Riley said with a smile, "When I heard you got a starring role, I couldn't resist. Every time I was in a town I caught up with the most recent episodes. My personal favorite was the Siren Episode, your singing was very pretty."

Amanda was almost flabbergasted. For many reasons, never did she think Riley would've watched the show. First off it was for little girls, second, he was doing very important work when the show was first coming out. He shouldn't have had the time...but he did. The Siren episode Riley had mentioned was by far the least popular filar plot that they show had. But it was also one that was focused on the character Amanda played, digging into her origins as a foreign mermaid from the north. It's writing however was cheesy and the pay off from the set up happened way to late to make it feel connected.

Riley like that one?

A hand was suddenly on her shoulder, and Amanda stiffened before recognizing the pale warmth of her Uncle's touch.

"How are you feeling?" Uncle Aaron asked quietly.

"Tired," Amanda said.

Uncle Aaron nodded, not saying anymore. Seemingly understanding that now was not the time. Rather he slowly lifted a hand and traced the bruise on her cheek gently. The warm blue glow in his fingertips, sunk into her skin and the ache of injury mellowed greatly. Amanda knew the bruise was gone when he finally pulled away, the last evidence of last night's...events...wiped away.

"The boys seem to enjoy the show," the knight spoke.

"They do," Amanda said looking at the twin smiles with awe.

"You're surprised."

"I've only ever seen them watch science documentaries."

"Well, maybe they never had the chance."

Amanda at first wanted to argue, claiming that the twins were allowed to do anything the manor had to offer...but something stopped her. Mother had banned the little kid show Amanda had been in, and she can't remember ever watching any purely fictional media in the house after her father's demise. Maybe she wasn't the only one here who had been restricted.

Uncle Aaron slipped his hand around her other shoulder and pulled her into a brief side embrace, "Carter seemed to be quite curious about how they gave you that tail, shame me nor the others could explain the process."

Amanda felt herself smile, and let herself be nudged forward to the couch, taking a seat as the little ones began their endless questions. Constance's questions mostly surrounded where the scenes were shot, wanting to know more about the ecosystems she had seen firsthand and what Pokemon lived in them. However Carter's questions surprised her, they all related to the production of the show itself. Her baby brother's eyes sparkled when she told him about all the cool little tools the prop team had used to make the special/practical effects.

By the time the episode was over, Mrs. Rose had finished with breakfast and called everyone to the dining room. Ash had challenged the boys to a race to see who could get to the table first, and most of the pokemon joined in by default, either to want to race or to try and prevent any damages that could be caused by said race. So, most of them were far ahead. Sir Aaron and Goh were in the middle of the group seemingly having a conversation about their game. Leaving Amanda and Riley to take up the rear.

Her brother sighed, "I'm sorry. I-I know I apologized last night, but things were pretty...charged then? Mandy...Amanda I know you have no reason to believe or trust me, but nothing that happened was your fault, and even if it was, I-I don't blame you."

Amanda bit her lip, unsure about what to say. When she was little, before they were separated, she used to believe everything her brother told her. Granted she was four at the time, and four year olds were pretty dumb, but now. Everything she had experienced over the past 13 years, was telling her not to, and yet.

"You know," Amanda started, "No one has called me 'Mandy' since dad died. It'd be a shame if I forgot what he called me."

Riley smiled.

The late morning sun, gleam brilliantly in the sky, warming the air but not unbearably hot. A sweet smell of rose blossoms were dancing in the wind as the flower garden was a mere couple of yards away from where Sir Aaron had pulled them all out for training. Everyone, with the exception of Mrs. Rose went to the yard, after sending the twins off to school with the family driver. It was honestly one of the most peaceful scenes Ash had seen since arriving in Ryme city.

For all of it's preaching in media about being a utopia for both human and Pokémon, Ash had to say this place a real problem with false advertising. Between all the underground battle arenas, illegal dealings, and family drama, this city was certainly not a utopia. Ash stretched his arms behind his head and laid back in the cool grass, at least it seemed like the crazy had passed for now.

There was the sudden cried of pain and the thump of a body as it fell back onto the ground. Ash winced and sat up, already knowing what happened. Riley was slowly shifted off of the ground holding a hand to his face, the blindfold already falling off of his head. Yeah, the log training was not fun.

"Riri?" Amanda called out jogging up to him, Sir Aaron, and Lulu hot on her tail.

"I think I broke my nose," Riley choked.

"Let me see," Sir Aaron, said pulling away Riley's hands from his face, revealing a whole lot of blood...

Goh sucked in a breath between his teeth at the sight, and Ash just pat his friend's arm comfortingly. Shame a bloody nose was the least of the worst Ash had seen.

"Yeah, it's broken," Amanda bluntly said.

"You can tell?" Air aaron asked.

"There were a lot of stupid kids at the pool I life guarded at who didn't listen to the no diving rule. Eventually you learn what it looks like," Amanda said, gently prodding around her brother's face, "Thankfully this is the kind that doesn't need to be set."

"Well then, let's try this, hold still Riley," Sir Aaron said, as aura swelled in his fingertips.

Riley flinched when the knight traced over his wounded nose, but as the glow swirled round the injury, his expression relaxed. The blood still remained but Ash could tell Riley's nose was straight again, and the fresh swelling vanished. His older cousins, both of them prodded at the newly healed nose with almost identical expressions of curiosity.

"Alright that's handy," Amanda muttered.

"Well, I'll teach what I can to you," Sir Aaron said, with a pleased and excited smile.

Ash couldn't help but share in his ancestor's joy. Amanda since she had first met them adamantly refused to have anything to do with aura. His cousin was just as stubborn as him and she seemed to only have two goals in mind, complete her studies and find Riley. Even after one of them was completed she didn't want to join in training. The heavy barrier Amanda had set up when they first met, still as strong as ever, and even stronger against Riley. However, after this morning the air feel clearer between all of them. That wall Amanda built weakening.

Of course she didn't let it all come down. Amanda did join them, but she claimed it was only to learn "because it might come in handy". Ash and Lucario had shared a knowing glance at the breakfast table when she said that. They knew she thought it was cool, but just wasn't comfortable expressing it yet, they were fine with that.

It was actually really funny training with Amanda. She approached all the lessons with extreme attention and focus, always asking questions, always looking for answers. Even throwing Sir Aaron for a loop with her prodding. Ash could see how she was an A straight student; her learning technique was downright impressive. Amanda was the only one who hasn't gotten hit in the face with the log trap.

"You are not breaking my nose again so you can practice," Riley said getting up to likely go wash his face.

Amanda made a disappointed whine, but it was clearly teasing, "When did you get boring?"

"When did you become a psycho?" Riley bit back.

"Oh, we both know I always was," Amanda deadpanned, causing Riley to huff and roll his eyes.

"I am so glad I'm an only child," Goh muttered.

Ash brows furrowed, "You don't think it would be fun to have a built-in playmate?"

Goh shook his head, "You might thrive on connection Ash, but some people value their alone time, besides I get enough familial drama just hanging out with you guys."

Ash chortled at that, "You're not wrong. We are just the descendances of an ancient race of super powered protectors..." Ash trailed off, and suddenly gasped as his mind made the unexpected connection.

"Ash?" Sir Aaron asked, no doubt feeling his astonishment and excitement through their aura linkage.

"Oh, my Arceus!" Ash exclaimed, "We're Jedi!"

Riley was the first to laugh, Ash could hear him and Lulu cracking up behind him on the back porch. Amanda, once the realization hit her, slapped her face and groaned, but Ash knew she was smiling internally. Sir Aaron and Lucario just shared a confused glance.

"Shit, you're right," Goh muttered, and Ash burst out laughing.

Jedi? Lucario's ear flicked, annoyed he didn't get the joke.

"We'll show you that movie later," Amanda said.

Mrs. Rose came out of the house after that, bringing with her lemonade and thankfully a towel Riley could use on his face. Ash was about to run over to get his own glass, Pikachu on his shoulder, when his phone started ringing. His mom's number on the screen Ash didn't have much thought before he hit the answer call button.

"Hi mom!" He answered cheerfully.

He was met with static. Cold and silent.

"Hello? Mom?" His brows furrowed, in confusion.

"Pika?"

"Hello Ash."

Something heavy sunk deeper and deeper in his stomach, at that low poisonous tone, "Who is this?" The darkhaired trainer spat.

"Oh, dear nephew, I would hope you would recognize me by now?"

His heart began to race, his pulse beating against the inside of his chest. Nausea swirled in his stomach turning it to ice, as all his body tensed.

"What did you do? Where is my mom?" He growled, drawing the attention of all those around him.

"Pikapi?"

Amanda touched his shoulder, and mouthed, "Put it on speaker."

Ash listened to his cousin, quickly pressing the speaker button, just in time for a staticky, but familiar voice, with clear, cold message to share.

"Don't worry, nephew, your mother is fine. For now. Really you should be more concerned about the children."

Ash dropped the phone...the twins...

A/N:

Okay, I finally got this out here. Sorry, it took so long. First it was the holidays, then I had to apply to a secondary collage, and I've been dealing with all that involves that. I have been trying to get a blog on my own og story going. My family is dragging me out on six-day trip in a few weeks. And then last week I needed to schedule a surgical consultation and I'm going under the knife next month, because my wisdom teeth decided now was great time to become a problem! See, yall next time!