#-trying to get me to go look for Moomoo‚ but I thought she’d be fine. she’d come back eventually.

[jinglyhigh-heels]

Had a dream last night. I tipped over a box I and my cat (we’ll call her Tiki) were in when I was getting out, but out ran not only Tiki, but Tiki’s sister who died almost a year ago, who we’ll call Taka; and the cat who helped raise them as kittens who we’ll call Moomoo (she looked like a cow lol).

I immediately figured out that it was a dream, and I gasped a grief-filled little gasp, then walked over to Taka. I got to pet for the first time in almost a year. She was so soft, and I almost started crying.

But as all creatures do, she had to leave. We were now in my living room, so she walked across the carpet and then turned behind the couch where I couldn’t see her. I knew this meant my visit was over. A little past where she had turned, was sitting Tiki. She was looking over at me where I had been petting Taka as if she knew what had happened. She seemed so sad. I can’t remember if I said anything, probably “Oh Tiki…” if anything, but I went over and starting comforting her, petting her. Her fur was so soft at first, but then it turned…old, if that makes sense; not as soft, and…more rough? This just made me even sadder; I had seen this dream as some kind of spiritual thing, where I got to see Moomoo and give Taka pets from beyond the grave, so this just made me think that Tiki was gonna pass soon.

And then I woke up. Bawled like a baby, obviously.

I’m choosing to believe that I actually got to pet Taka’s spirit even tho I don’t really believe in spirits lol, but that my ‘vision’ of Tiki’s near demise was just my anxieties.

[ofieugogyshz]

Fic;; Memories: Riolu III

Word Count: 4900

Warnings: None

Summary: Slowly accepting that maybe she might be having difficulties with Riolu, Sarah accepts that Lance was right, and that she might want to get in contact with someone like the Sinnoh Champion Cynthia in order to figure out what was wrong, and how to fix it. 

Notes: This fic was published as Lucario II, but I changed it to Riolu III to better suit the focus of the naming convention.

Read First | Second | Third

(Alternatively, Series Masterpost)

-----------

It was difficult, trying to train Riolu. What started out as an instant bond felt like it was tapering away. Trying to bond with him the traditional way wasn't working, either. It was getting harder and harder to understand him, his battle style, his personality, and I could tell that he was getting frustrated too.

Maybe Lance was right. Training a Riolu was going to be difficult because I wasn't open or honest about my emotions. And, honestly, I didn't want to be. Maybe it would have been more accurate to say that I didn't want to feel those emotions, much less share or admit them. I always tried to hide them, except when I was angry or hurt. Then I wanted everyone to know it. But then I'd try to hide it again, because that's what was right, was socially expected. And it just made it harder to figure out how I was supposed to respond to something. Everything just felt like a spiral, and it was on several occasions that Riolu commented on how confusing and chaotic it made reading my aura, until I couldn't understand his thoughts anymore.

And admitting that I needed help? That was hard. Difficult. But, if it was the Sinnoh Champion, then maybe I could challenge her to a battle as well, ask to train with her a bit...? I could use that as a lean in, and casually bring up Riolu, and see what she'd say.

I asked around. Some people told me that she was partial to ruins and mythology, suggesting that I might want to try Celestic Town, Solaceon Ruins, or the Library in Canalave City. Although Canalave City was where my next Gym Badge was located, I decided to go north. I battled against several trainers along the routes there, becoming more discouraged when my connection with Riolu felt more and more out of sync.

No one said they had spotted her around Solaceon Town or the Ruins, so I pressed on north. I decided to take a break at the Cafe Cabin. I stepped inside, greeted by the employees. Pika and Riolu walked in beside me. My Pikachu was used to this sort of thing, but I had forgotten that Riolu, only a few months old, hadn't yet been inside a battle cafe. I took a seat at a booth, while Riolu followed behind slowly, eyes wandering as it took in the busy atmosphere.

“Can we get you anything?” asked a waitress. “A battle? Food? Or just drinks?”

“Just drinks for now,” I said. “Pinap juice for Pika, Pomeg-Watmel smoothie for me, and...” I looked at Riolu, who was sitting across from me. It was standing up on the seat, looking over its edge at all the trainers and their Pokemon in the cafe. It was rather busy, so there was a lot for it to take in. I felt a tinge of worry that it might be overwhelming for it, but it kept staring in awe.

“Ri....”

“Um. I think a Moomoo Milk for my Riolu?”

The waitress nodded, hastily scribbling down the order before leaving.

I sighed. Part of me wanted to believe that maybe there was a quick fix-all for being able to bond with Riolu better, so I could understand him better, but I knew that that wasn't going to be the case. Still... Riolu looked around, and I followed its gaze wherever it went. A trainer with a Machamp, another with a Glameow, one with a Meditite, and so on. More Pokemon in one spot than it had seen yet. His eyes wandered until he saw something towards the corner. I watched as it continued to stare in awe, and followed its gaze. My eyes widened.

“Isn't that...”

I thought back to Eterna City. I had met someone that looked just like her. Long blonde hair, a long black coat over black pants, with quiet serenity. I had come to look at the statue on the far side of that town, and found her there, reading the inscription with an intense focus that was more than touristy.

What did she say her name was...? I flipped through the e-mails on my phone, trying to see if I had mentioned her in any that I had sent to my friends, whenever I was updating them about my adventure. Any posts I may have made on social media. Anything that might have mentioned the person I met back then.

“Today I met a trainer in Eterna City. She was beautiful! I wish I could be as pretty as her... Oh, but! More importantly! She was looking at the statue there too! She explained to me that it was part of Sinnoh mythology. I introduced myself to her, and told her alllll about my victories in the last three regions I been in! She said I was cute, and reminded her a little of herself when she started her journey.(I'm not cute, but whatever.) Then, I showed her my Pokedex. We had a lot of fun. I forgot to ask for her contact info... But she told me that her name was Cynthia, and that I'll probably see her around again!”

Ah. There it was--

“Wait...” I said quietly, to no one in particular. “Is she... No way, it's gotta totally be a coincidence!!”

I quickly looked up online “Champion Cynthia”, her photo coming up online as she held a trophy, the proclamation “Cynthia Wins the Sinnoh Cup Again!” titling an article. It matched the person that Riolu was staring at, with much focus.

“Nononono...” I buried my face in my hands and suppressed an embarrassed whine. I totally made a fool of myself back then... Ugh. Why did I act like that? Now the local Champion thinks that I'm a total child and-- AAAAAAAAA!!! This is awful, totally awful, uggggghhhh!!! Now how'm I supposed to ask her for help with Riolu?!! I screamed inside my head out of embarrassment at my past self.

I took a breath, trying to see if I could cope with having my face visible. I cupped my hands around my face and pushed them back into my hair, fingers running between strands as I tried to recompose myself. Well, no, maybe she wouldn't notice me... Ah. But that doesn't help with the 'trying to find her' part, and ask for her help training. I could probably find other trainers with Lucario! I mean, there's Blaze! He's the one who got me Riolu, after all! Or that person that he said he got his egg from! What was his name... I... R-something? Guh. Crap. I don't wanna ask Blaze though, because then I'll have to let him know why, and I don't wanna let him know that I'm having trouble with Riolu!! My pride wouldn't've allowed it, and there I was, just stewing in my thoughts, not even aware that our waitress had arrived with our drinks.

“Pi! Pika!!” Pikachu had eagerly grabbed at hers as the waitress pushed it past me.

“Are you okay, miss?”

I looked up at her. She had a mildly concerned expression on her face.

“Ah, I-- I'm fine, I promise. Thanks for the drinks.”

“Let me know if you need anything else.”

She left. I was alone once more with my thoughts. Pika was happily drinking from her juice, slurping it up noisily. Across from me, Riolu was still watching Cynthia, unaware that it had a drink in front of it. I let out a long sigh, stirring my smoothie with my straw as I continued to watch its fixation on the region's beautiful Champion. I pushed the bottle of Moomoo Milk across the table, letting it make a loud noise in an attempt to distract the Riolu.

“Riolu, here! I got you some tasty milk to drink!”

<<...strong!>>

I blinked. Riolu turned around to me, an excited expression on his face.

<<...really strong! ….meet? >>

Maybe I was imagining it, or maybe that was how he really felt right now. It had been so long since I felt his voice, that I wondered if I was making it up, inserting my own understanding of how it felt. Riolu's tail wagged a little, hopeful that I might say yes to what it wanted.

“Uh... N-not right now, Riolu. C'mon, sit. We can go say hi after,” I said, half-lying. Riolu's tail stopped. He looked at me, uncertain; as uncertain as I was about if I was still interested in talking to Cynthia. Riolu plopped down, taking the Moomoo Milk and drinking, looking a little angry, upset with me. Maybe I might change my mind after we rest a bit, but for now...

When we were done, I paid for our order and left. The Champion wasn't anywhere in the cafe anymore, as far as I could tell, and I felt a little safe leaving now that she wasn't around. Riolu yipped loudly at my side, partially in excitement, partially in impatience. I didn't need to have a connection to know what he was wanting right then and there.

To meet Cynthia.

“No, we are NOT going to look for her right now, okay? Let's just keep heading north and see if we can't find her at--”

An angry thought burst into my mind.

<<But that WAS her!! I know it was!!! She had a Lucario!!!!!>>

Riolu had ran in front of me, cheeks puffed up and tail standing up straight as it glared at me. It felt like a stare-down. Beside me, Pika looked back and forth between the two of us, unsure of what was gonna happen. Riolu growled softly. Pika ran in front of it, trying to mediate between the two of us, waving her arms.

“Pika pi!! Pi pika, pikachu!”

The attempt only made Riolu growl more. It pushed her away, speeding towards me with a charge. Its head hit my chest, knocking me over. I couldn't hear what it said as it ran away. Pika started to give chase.

“Pika!!! Pikachu chu chu!!!”

I groaned, sitting up slowly. I let out quick hisses of pain as I propped myself up with my elbows. Pika yelled after Riolu. But instead of continuing her chase, she turned back around to check up on me when I sat up.

“Pi?!”

I groaned. Tears were in my eyes from the aching, stinging pain. I clutched at my body, trying to will myself not to cry more from it.

“Ow!!” Touching had made it hurt more. I could tell that a gnarly bruise was in store when the pain would subside.

“Pika!!!”

“It's okay, Pika. I'll--” I let out a hiss of pain, impatiently waiting for the pain to dull. “I'll be fine. But more importantly, do you know which way Riolu ran off?”

She ran over to the edge of a thicket of trees and pointed. “Chu!!”

I stumbled to my feet and set off after Riolu.

I didn't know what kind of Pokemon lived in these trees, and it worried me that something might have happened to him in here. Unfortunately, I didn't have too many Pokemon that could help me look, and the thicket was getting denser the more I went in. Pikachu was leading me on the ground, trying to follow Riolu's scent. I had to backtrack when she lost it, and when we were in a slightly wider trail, I let out my Crobat, Janet. I quickly explained to her that we were looking for Riolu.

“He ran off somewhere in here. Please help us find him!”

She let out a noise of agreement and zoomed off, hastily flying between trees until I couldn't see her anymore. Pika and I continued with our search on the ground.

I was getting more anxious with every step I took.

The path we followed opened up into a small clearing. It looked like a Pokemon battle happened there. Branches and leaves were scattered across the floor, with some of the thicker ones still having their leaves on them. The ground had been disturbed, with indentations from the fight. Several of the trees had claw marks on it. I felt my heartbeat quicken, worried that Riolu had gotten himself into trouble.

“RIOOOOLLUUUU!!!!” I shouted.

“PIIKAAAA!!!”

Our voices echoed slightly. The sound disrupted a handful of Starly in the trees. They flew away. I heard the sound of wings flapping towards us. It was Janet; she had returned to find us.

“You find anything?!” I asked her.

Janet nodded, making a noise that sounded like a 'whsk'. She kept making it as she flew around us, impatiently waiting for the command to go.

“Lead the way!”

-----

Riolu had ran out of the thicket. He wasn't afraid of the Pokemon that he had encountered, since he had won. The moves his Lucario father and his trainer had taught him were incredibly useful, more than he had realized under his current trainer. But, after all the battles he had done on the way here, that last one had made him tired. He had decided to head back, still mad about what had happened, but also apologetic about hurting his trainer. He hoped he didn't hurt her too badly. His steps quickened until he could see the growing light of the exit of the forest.

-

Cynthia had returned back to the cafe, carrying a small bag containing medicine for the Psyduck that had taken up residence along a major path by it. It was causing difficulties for the cafe to receive and distribute its product along the one side. The owner of Cafe Cabin had called her over, asking her to help take care of the issue. And what those Psyduck needed was the Secret Potion, a rural recipe capable of helping relieve even the recurrent headaches that Psyducks got.

Cynthia's Lucario was helping her distribute the medicine to the Psyduck that lined the road. He stopped suddenly, looking into the forest with sudden focus. That had gotten Cynthia's attention, and she turned, looking to where her Lucario did.

A small, black and blue Pokemon came out of the thicket. It rested against one of the trees, sighing. It lifted up its head, looking around, and came across the sight of Cynthia and her Lucario looking at it. Its eyes widened, and excitement overcame it. With renewed vigor, it ran over, letting out happy yips as it bounced around them.

“Hm? What's this?” Cynthia knelt down to brush some twigs and leaves out of its fur. “A Riolu?”

They're usually not common in this area, she thought to herself. But the mystery of where it came from wouldn't last for very long. A Crobat had come out of the woods, quick on the tail of the small Riolu. Cynthia and Lucario tensed, prepared to help protect the small Pokemon if Crobat proved aggressive.

The Crobat stopped a few yards away, calling out to the Riolu.

“Ri. Ri!” It ran out to greet the large purple bat. Crobat landed, folding its wings around the Riolu as it hugged the Pokemon.

“Well, that's interesting,” said Cynthia. Her and Lucario looked at each other and nodded. Lucario closed its eyes and held out its palms, allowing both its trainer and the two Pokemon before it to better understand one another with its aura powers.

“Crobat, were you looking for this Riolu?” It nodded. “Is your trainer nearby?” Crobat turned towards the trees, twitching an ear as it listened. There was the faint call of its trainer, shouting out for the Riolu, but it was far too distant for Lucario, much less Cynthia, to hear. It turned back around, letting go of Riolu as it flapped back into the air.

“Okay then, Crobat. Go and get your trainer, and I'll wait here with Riolu. I promise I won't go anywhere.”

Crobat looked at Cynthia, then to Lucario. Its eyes shifted back to Cynthia, who gave it a gentle smile. Normally, Crobat wouldn't have trusted anyone to take care of one of her trainer's Pokemon without her permission, but Lucario helped communicate what was in their hearts. These were good people. There wasn't an ounce of malice in their hearts. With some reluctance, Crobat turned towards the forest, flying back into it in order to grab its trainer.

“Now then, little Riolu. Do you care to tell me how you and your trainer got separated?”

-----

I ran out of the clearing, following Crobat's directions. She flew out into the clearing, circling low, and Pika followed her all the way out there. I rested a hand against a nearby tree, trying to catch my breath. I could hear a happy cry from Pika that let me know that she had found Riolu. I stood back up and hurried along, coming into sight of a trainer and several Pokemon, not including the line of Psyduck that was lying about neaby. I stopped when I recognized the black clothes and long, blonde hair.

Cynthia turned around to greet me.

“Hi there! You must be Riolu's trainer.”

I nodded, walking towards them once again.

“Thanks for finding him,” I said. I didn't know what else to say. I hadn't planned on this, and my mind was drawing up a blank, still stuck on the “find Riolu” plan, that the “Talk to Cynthia” plan hadn't yet intersected. As I got closer, her expression changed to one of curiosity, as she seemed to recognize me.

“Oh! You're the trainer I met back in Eterna City. Thank you for that day, by the way. You really helped me out.”

“E-eh!?” I felt my face flush, and held up my hands, shaking them in an criss-cross motion. “No no no, thank you, for. Um. Well, talking to me, I guess. And humoring me? I'm so sorry that I wasted your time though! I didn't know who you were, and I'm sure you're pretty busy as the Champion, and, oh! You said you were researching, so I'm so sorry that I interrupted your day that day!” I bowed my head, apologetic. My face was still flushed.

She laughed. It was an amused laugh, one that reminded me of Lance's.

“Don't worry about it!” Cynthia said. “Like I said, you really helped me out that day. I kept hitting a wall in my research, but spending some time with someone who wasn't from here, and sharing the myths with them really helped me get out of that rut. You won't believe how much it helps shifting your focus for just a moment.”

I lifted my head to look at her. Now that I knew who she was, she looked more beautiful than I first thought. A part of me became bitter. It was a small, envious feeling, and I could shush it away, but it hurt, just a little bit, to see her. A female Champion that was beautiful, well-respected, famous, and had amazing synchronicity with her Lucario. Speaking of...

I looked at Cynthia's Lucario. It didn't seem to mind having Riolu hop around it excitedly.

<<...look! ...Lucario!!!>>

“I'm sorry if Riolu was interfering with your training.”

“Oh, not at all! Actually--” She turned around, looking at the Psyduck that were lying in the middle of the road. “--We were trying to help these poor Psyduck. You said you were from Kanto, right? So you must know how hard it is for Psyduck with their chronic headaches.”

“Yeah. Misty mentioned that it made it difficult for her Golduck to focus on training when he was still a Psyduck. Is that why they're all lying about in the road like that?”

“Yes. I went to get them some medication, and when I started treating them, your little Riolu came up to us. I was having Lucario help me treat them, but he seems to be pre-occupied with your Riolu now. Why don't you help me instead?”

I nodded, taking a couple of the bottles from her. We began to treat the Psyduck. Some of them let out pro-longed quacks, dramatic cries of pain. Some only whimpered, until we administered the medicine. We worked from the outside in, meeting each other in the middle as the Psyducks we treated still lamented, rubbing their heads.

“Okay, that's the last one!” Cynthia said.

We waited.

“How long does it normally take for them to get better?” I asked.

“It shouldn't be too much longer.”

The first two Psyduck we treated suddenly bounced up. They looked at us with their vacant expressions, before suddenly tilting their heads in confusion.

“Psy?”

Several more followed. The cries of the loudest ones stopped, though a few of them kept crying until their buddies picked them up. They talked to them, and the Psyduck slowly pulled their hands from their heads, letting them fall against their feathery bodies. They looked at their companions with a vacation expression, before tilting their heads in confusion.

“Psy?”

The group was satisfied that all of them had been thoroughly treated, and they waddled off together. A few of them waved at Cynthia and I as they left, and we waved back. Both of us were happy that we had helped alleviate some of the pain that these Pokemon had, at least for now.

I looked down at the empty bottles I held in my arms.

“That's amazing! What is this?”

“It's a Secret Potion.”

“A secret potion?” I repeated. It was now my turn to tilt my head in confusion. “Why's it a secret?”

Cynthia laughed. “It's the ingredients! The recipe is a secret; only my grandmother knows how to make it. I went to visit her in Celestic Town before I came back here to treat them.”

“Aww. I wanna know how to make it!” I said, arms flailing.

“I can't tell you. My own grandmother hasn't told even me the recipe, and she brags to everyone about what a great trainer I am!” She laughed, and I pouted.

“Now, now. I'm sure there's plenty of chances for you to find something just as equally amazing. Oh, but that's right! I wanted to talk to you about your Riolu.”

I felt my face heat a little as I looked away in shame.

“Y-Yeah... That's, um, actually-- I came up this way because I was looking for you. Because we're having trouble staying on the same wave length.”

Cynthia looked at me, quirking an eyebrow. I continued.

“Y'see...” I explained to her about Riolu-- how long I've had him, where he came from, and that my friend who hatched him had named him after someone I liked. I vaguely talked about the embarrassment I got whenever Riolu was there for my phone calls with Lance. Except, I didn't tell her who, or that I had a crush on them, just that I was speaking with a friend. Cynthia nodded along thoughtfully, and when my cheeks heated up, there was a small, knowing smile. The way I stumbled through explaining more about it, the more my cheeks heated up, caused me to finally admit that it was someone I had a crush on.

“Mhmm.... Mhmm. I see. From what you've told me, and from what Riolu's told Lucario, it seems that your emotions are getting in the way of your connection.” I gave her a look of dismay, and she continued. “I'm sorry, but it's what seems to be the truth. The two of you need to be open and honest with each other, or else that connection will suffer. Riolu are very sensitive Pokemon. They can see auras as colored waves-- Oh, I feel like I've just told someone else this very same conversation.”

I felt a sudden jolt of fear and stood up straighter, afraid that she might connect the thread between the two.

“Ahahaha... well, I bet it's because people think you're the number one authority on this, huh? I bet all kinds of people from all over ask you about Riolus and Lucarios! ”

“You're not wrong about that...” Cynthia said. She sounded a little distracted, lost in thought. Silence fell between us for a moment, before she suddenly came back to the present. “Oh, I apologize. Sometimes I get a little lost in thought when I'm thinking about something. Where were we?”

“Uh. Outside the Cafe Cabin?” I said, a half-hearted joked. She smiled.

“Well, your emotional honesty and openness aside, you also need to make sure that your Pokemon know that you love them. It's that connection that will help them filter through any conflicting emotions that you might have.”

“But I do love Riolu, I really do!!”

Cynthia looked down at Riolu, who spoke to Lucario.

“Ri ri!”

“It doesn't seem that way to him.”

The weight of that feeling suddenly pressed down on my heart. I found myself angry, frustrated at myself. I turned towards my Riolu and knelt down. I held out my arms towards him.

“Riolu, I'm sorry. I'm really really sorry. I didn't know you felt that way about me. That you thought I felt that way, I mean. I don't want you to think that I hate you or dislike you, I really don't. But please, please please come back with me? We can try again, and I'll try my best to do better at listening, and-- um, well, I can't guarantee that my emotions will get any easier, but I'll promise to go over them with you, when, um, we have time? I promise I'll try to help you understand me.” I sighed. “It's just, that... I don't understand myself very well either. So I won't always have the answer about it.” I felt tears well up in my eyes and I closed them. It felt like that was going to cause a permanent block in my bond with Riolu, and that wasn't something that I wanted. But I didn't know how to get around it.

I felt a gentle hand on my shoulder. I looked to see Cynthia, a sympathetic smile on her face. There was some semblance of understanding, some sort of feeling like that. I could sense that from her, but I couldn't quite understand how I knew that she did. It just didn't feel like something she knew in the present.

“It's okay. You don't need to understand yourself just yet. That's what your emotions are there for. They help you learn about yourself, and what you think of certain things. But your emotions aren't always going to be easy to understand, either. But you can ask Riolu to help you understand them, when you feel like you're uncertain of yourself. You just have to trust that Riolu will know what they mean.”

I felt my heart lurch in my chest. Her words were potent, important. Even I could tell that much at that moment. Things that I would save and keep in my heart for many years to come. I would come to rely on that wisdom that she gave me that day, even when over decade passed. But in that moment, as powerful as I knew they were, and as true as they were, I felt myself start to cry.

Riolu took a few steps forward. I could feel it's concern, its hesitation. It wanted to reach out, but he also felt just as upset as I did, mad at me for never... never calling him by his name?

“Now...” I could hear Cynthia's soft voice in my ear. “Why don't you try calling out to Riolu by name?”

I felt my face flush up at the same time that my pain waned. I was afraid. How many people name their Pokemon after their friends? After people they were in contact with? But I was more afraid of what Lance would think, if he knew, if he found out that my friend named Riolu after him. All because I had a crush on him. It was embarrassing.... And causing Riolu pain, too, to not be called by the name he was given. He was proud of his namesake. As he ought to be. But it was so... It was so difficult. I couldn't even say that name normally. How could I be expected to call out my Riolu's name, when it was named after my crush?

As my mind wavered between the two extremes, I could feel Riolu sense that struggle. He took a step back, withdrawing that connection from me. But I knew what was right. I knew that Cynthia was right. What was right for him, for both of us.

I took a deep breath. I gulped, before nodding, slowly.

“C-C'mere...... L...Lance.”

I could feel the surprise from Riolu. The shock, appreciation, happiness. He ran towards me and jumped into my arms. I hugged him tightly, crying into him. It would have been wrong to continue to call him by any name other than that one. Whispering over and over again, “I'm sorry. I'm so sorry, Lance.”

Riolu—Lance, I mean, buried his head between my shoulder and neck. He nuzzled me, happy and relieved that I had gotten it-- That I had finally called him by his name.

[memoriesofyourdread]

9-22

So, I hope this is worth the wait because it took longer and IS longer than I thought it’d be. Oopsies? Your numbers got you Futaba and Pokémon. I hope you enjoy? (EDIT: Here’s the link on AO3. And thanks so much to @phantom-thieves-official and other lovely people on her P5 discord I'm part of for some of the Pokemon I used for Futaba.

—

Futaba whines as she tries to roll over in her bed. There’s a weight on her chest, and as she blinks her eyes open, she sees a small, cute face blinking back at her. With a sigh, Futaba picks up Happiny and smiles. Happiny coos in response and snuggles against her chest.

“Can’t just let me sleep in, huh?” she murmurs as she places the baby pokémon on her bed. “All right, all right, I’ll help Sojiro feed the pokémon.”

Happiny squeals and bounces on the bed as Futaba changes out of her pajamas. “Jeez, calm down, Hap,” Futaba says with a laugh as she pulls her comfiest sweatshirt over her head. “Let’s go get Audi and check on the eggs.”

Futaba scoops Hap into her arms before heading downstairs. She skids on her socks as she turns a corner to head into the hatchery room. Hap butts her head against Futaba, to get her attention. The Audino Sojiro had given her smiles up at her as they enter the room together.

Audi is one of the handful of pokémon Futaba has received over the years as an attempt at therapy. She knows Sojiro’s trying to help her cope, and it’s not that all these pokémon aren’t helping. Futaba just wishes he were a little less obvious about it, even thought Sojiro swears Audi was to help with hatchery and Blissey and Miltank were to help with the café.

Futaba puts Hap down as Audi makes his rounds, checking the eggs with the feelers on his ears. “Any ready to hatch today, Audi?” she asks as she adjusts the heat lamps.

Audi makes a pleased sound as he stops in front of an egg. Taking that as a yes, Futaba hurries over as Hap hops to the egg. They wait around it as it starts shake and crack. A small smile on Futaba’s face widens as the egg falls apart, and an Elekid rolls out with a small cry.

“Let’s see, whose egg was that?” Futaba mutters to herself as Blissey comes into the room. “Hey, Bliss, take care of this Elekid? We don’t want him to fry any of our systems since he won’t know how control his shocks yet.”

Bliss replies with an affirmative trill as she scoops up the Elekid. Hap bounces onto her mother’s head, and pokémon talk with each other. Futaba notes that the Elekid was an egg for the Sakamotos and jumps when Audi exclaims again.

“Another one?” she questions as they all gather around another egg that’s already half-hatched. “Whoa…”

The egg shell bursts open, and a fiery little Magby appears with a cry. Bliss shuffles back the eggs to take care of Magby as well. It doesn’t take long, and Bliss as areas set up for Elekid and Magby to play, eat, and sleep safely until their owners arrive to pick them up.

“And the Magby is for Takamaki Ann…” Futuba murmurs to herself as she uses the computer to send automated messages to the owners to tell them their eggs have hatched.

The hatchery computer beeps with an error message, and Futaba sighs as she takes out her pokéball and presses it against the usb port. It glows for a moment before her Porygon-Z appears on the screen and starts assessing the situation before getting working.

“Thanks, Z,” she tells it as she stretches. “I have a feeling Sojiro forgot those updates I said the system needed…”

Z beeps at her through the computer speakers. “You’re not wrong,” Futaba replies as she watches Elekid and Magby play. “I really hope I don’t have to-”

Before Futaba can finish her sentence, her cell phone rings. “Hello?” she answers, just barely not fumbling the phone to the ground. “What? Sojiro, I can’t- Yeah, Z sent that message. …okay, fine. I’ll wait for the owners. You suck. …yeah, yeah, love you too.”

Futaba sighs as she leaves the hatchery, heading to wait hall by the front door. Sojiro had said that both owners should be around to collect the baby pokémon. Sometimes she and Z wishes she hadn’t upgraded their system for alerting to the egg owners so well.

There’s an obnoxiously knock at the door, and Futaba shakes her head as she pumps herself to open the door. It takes longer than she’d like, but not as long as it used. When she swings the door open, Futaba’s greeted by two excited blonds.

“I heard our eggs hatched!” the bleach blond teen exclaims with a grin as the blonde with pigtails elbows him.

“Don’t mind him. I’m Takamaki Ann, and this is Sakamoto Ryuji,” Ann apologizes with a soft smile. “I can’t wait to find out what they are.”

Ryuji rolls his eyes as he elbows Ann back. “Yeah, yeah, but our pokémon are waiting!”

“They’re really cute,” Futaba says quietly as she steps aside and leads them to the hatchery.

Ryuji bounces on the balls of his feet when they reach the hatchery. “Oh man, oh man.”

“Aww, a Magby! I love fire pokémon!” Ann exclaims as Bliss carefully hands over her pokémon.

“Elekid! Yes!” Ryuji shouts as he reaches for him and gets a shock for his trouble. “Whoa!”

Futaba rolls her eyes as she hands Ryuji rubber gloves. “He’s a baby. It’ll take some time before you can pick him up without these,” she explains before turning to Ann. “And you should only hold Magby with those fireproof oven gloves. Careful of your clothes and hair too.”

Ann nods while Ryuji snorts, pulling on his yellow, rubber gloves. “Yeah, wouldn’t have to get a hair cut because of burnt hair, right?” he teases.

“Shut up! That was one time!” Ann exclaims with a dirty look as she pulls on her pink, fireproof gloves. “Mags won’t burn me, will you?”

Mags gurgles as she snuggles into Ann’s arms, and Ann coos in response. “I have their hatching certificates. You can register them at your local pokécenter if you want to train them for battle,” Futaba interrupts as she shoves the papers at both of them. “We have a café down the street that sells Moomoo Milk, if you want some for your pokémon.”

Ryuji snorts. “Wow, you’re trying to get rid of us quick.”

Futaba huffs as Hap hops down from her perch on her mother to headbutt Ryuji’s shin. “Hap, no,” she reprimands lightly as she scoops up the baby pokémon. “Sorry?”

Ann laughs. “Pokémon love to headbutt Ryuji. It’s fine.”

“She’s not wrong,” Ryuji mutters then shrugs as he pockets his hatching certificate. “We’ll get out of your hair. Food doesn’t sound bad right about now, though…”

“I heard Moomoo Milk’s good for your hair…” Ann says thoughtfully.

“Your hair’s already gorgeous,” Futaba blurts out then spins around the tap away at the hatchery computer.

“Aww, you’re sweet,” Ann teases as she gently places a hand on Futaba’s shoulder. “Come with us. We’re liable to get lost on the way to this café…”

Futaba turns around to call shenanigans on her, but when she does, Ann’s face isn’t far from hers. The earnest look makes her stomach flip and her heart flutter as she can’t help but nod dumbly in response. Ann beams as she takes her hand, and Futaba’s sure she’s a goner as Ann drags her out of the room and calls after Ryuji to follow them.