Chapter Text
Breakfast the following morning was simple but filling. You had a full day ahead of yourselves, after all. After the hotel fiasco, you wanted to make sure there wouldn't be any other complications. Your kids had been in preschool at Naranja, and their files and info should have been transferred to Academie Etoile, but you wanted to be sure. You’d also need to stop by Quasartico’s HQ, to make sure you were still set to compete in the Tournament.
The Academie, and its ecoles materneles, was further away from Hotel Z than it had been from your original hotel. You'd need to take a taxi to and from. Hopefully this new expense would be offset by the amount you'd saved by AZ’s generous rate. Miles and Emmeline were a little wary of their new school, staying close to your side as you spoke with Etoile’s main secretary.
“They're not orange,” Miles murmured to you and Emmeline after you'd confirmed that everything had transferred without issue. Emmeline scowled at her surroundings. “You're not coming with us, Mom?”. Despite being a smiley kid, Emmeline's mouth was more inclined to frowning, giving her a unique feline grin and a surprisingly stern frown for an almost 4 year old.
“I'm going to be sleeping while you guys are in school,” you told her apologetically. Clavell had been kind enough to enroll you at Naranja shortly after your appearance, allowing you to stay in a dorm, making sure you were set up with aid and a scholarship, and another one when you'd found out you were pregnant. The rest of your finances had been supplemented by helping a few of the professors as a TA, and working at Naranja's cafeteria and store.
You were close to earning your degree, but with surprise twins you'd had to take classes at a Snom’s pace, so Miles and Emmeline were used to you going to school at the same time as them. You'd taken the semester off to come to Kalos. You hoped it would be worth it.
“That's lame!,” Emmeline said, crossing her arms.
“I know it is,” you responded gently, bringing her and Miles into a hug.
“It's gonna be weird,” Miles said, muffled in your shirt.
“It'll be different,” but you smiled at your kids, your little inverses. Miles with his dark unruly hair and solemn silver eyes, and Emmeline with her silver hair in a tight bob, her dark eyes matching yours. “But I'll be picking you up before you know it. And you're not alone. You have each other, right?”
“Right!” Miles and Emmeline grabbed the other's hand.
“You'll get to tell Arven and I all about the fun you had today at dinner. I'll be back soon.”
With a final wave, one of the teachers escorted them into their class. You could hear Emmeline's greeting through the open door, a loud “Hi, we're new! You guys don't dress in orange which is weird but that's okay-”
You laughed to yourself, trying to keep your own tears at bay. Having them at Naranja had been just as much for your benefit as it had been for theirs. The idea of them going missing or you disappearing weighed you down, making it hard to think or act. But you couldn't live in fear of what-ifs forever. It wasn't fair to your kids, and it wasn't fair to you.
Visiting Kalos hadn't just been a last-ditch effort to find out about your past. You were here to break out of your rut, to grow alongside your kids. You had faced time loops, AIs, and mind-controlling mochi. You could handle this. Even if it felt harder than anything else.
***
Quasartico’s headquarters were sleek, the pinnacle of modern technology. The sun gleamed off the white paneling on the building. Something about that and the palm trees dotting the entrance path brought a whisper of a memory to mind, but it was gone before it could cement itself properly.
There were two Dedenne who blocked you when you approached the entrance. You looked around, confused, but after no trainers made themselves known, you decided to crouch down to their level.
“I'm looking to speak to a representative here. Is that okay?” As was the case with most Pokemon, they seemed to understand, at least to an extent, what you were saying.
One Dedenne turned to the other, and they squeaked at each other. With a nod from one, the other scampered off inside, the first Dedenne shuffling over to continue blocking your way.
Oh, it's a guard.
It seemed like overkill to you, but thankfully you weren't kept waiting long as a woman came out alongside the other Dedenne a moment later.
“You have business with Quasartico?”
You nodded. “I just arrived in Lumiose and want to make sure I'm still registered to participate in the ZA Tournament.”
“Right this way then.”
The woman led you into a lobby that was trying way too hard for a style you couldn't quite name, and had you stand in front of the main service desk as she brought up your registration. She needed your passport and Trainer ID, which you readily supplied.
“Yes, you're almost ready to compete. We just need to have you download the app on your Rotom Phone and you'll be on your way.”
“Ah, yeah, about that.”
She raised her manicured eyebrows slightly as you explained that you did not have a Rotom Phone. Not every cellphone model on the market had the Electric/Ghost type inhabiting it, though they were becoming fewer and fewer each year. Nemona had frequently offered to give you a new model during the last few years, easily able to do so because of her family's company, but you'd declined.
Something about the whole practice made you feel uneasy. Whether it was because you disliked the idea of the Pokemon being used as a battery (which wasn't quite how they worked)...
Bzzt! Ready to take on a new day?
…Or because it felt like a Rotom Phone was replacing nostalgic tech , well, that was hard to say for sure without solid memories, wasn't it?
Luckily there were still workarounds for the consumer set in their old ways. Whatever the old ways might have been for you. Poketches were commonly used in tandem with regular cellphones. Sometimes even with Rotom phones. So while it wouldn't be as snazzy as the promotional videos looked, you could simply hold up your Poketch by someone's Rotom Phone to sync up and confirm your Rank battles.
The woman helped you sync up the Tournament’s app on your Poketch and on your phone, before brightly confirming you were ready to begin battling that night.
“And my use of a Tera Orb is still on the table?”.
“Yes. In the same way a trainer could utilize Z-Moves,” your right hand flexed involuntarily, “although I'm not certain how lucrative Terastillizing will be outside of Paldea. I was under the impression that the technique wasn't consistent in most other regions.”
You shrugged, smiling weakly. “I just like knowing I have the possibility of using it.”
Tera Crystals had a certain energy to them, and while the Tera Orb could replicate the same conditions found in Tera Dens, it was true it didn't work consistently, if at all, in regions that didn't have that energy in the soil or water. Something about the energy from the Orb not being enough on its own.
Of course, there were a select few who found themselves unrestricted in that regard.
Juliana, Carmine, and Kieran were the only trainers who had ever consistently Terastallized in regions where the phenomenon wasn't present or simulated. Terapagos's uncontrolled energy had super-charged the crystals in their orbs, and given them enough power to make up for the lack of energy in other regions' soil.
You weren't quite sure how such a little baby was filled with such raw power. You'd been too far along to descend with Juliana into Area Zero the second time around. Though you supposed you had seen a sliver of it at the Crystal Pools shortly afterwards. Time loops and the pressing need to close them did not care about being too far along.
Juliana had been kind enough to temporarily trade her uber Orb with yours so you could utilize Terastillizing in Kalos. You'd objected to the idea at first, but Juliana was insistent.
“It’ll help you win, and it'll give me a nice challenge, remembering I need to charge up my Orb again.”
“One last thing. Quasartico is offering goods in exchange for any Mega Shards you bring in.”
“Mega Shards?”. That wasn't something you were familiar with.
“Have you noticed any odd crystal structures around the city?”. You shook your head, a little embarrassed you hadn't.
“Ah, that's alright. It’s a new phenomenon happening here. We call the structures themselves Mega Crystals, but they break easily into shards. We believe they're related to Mega Evolution, and possibly Anistar City’s unique landmark.”. Now, the Anistar’s Sundial was something you were familiar with, if only because it looked gorgeous in the travel sites you'd researched before coming to Kalos.
“The first crop of Mega Crystals popped up around 5 years ago, but they've been getting out of hand these last few months. Outside of aiding our research, it helps keep Lumiose clean and accessible.”
“I'll make sure to keep an eye out for them then,” you said, but an uneasiness had settled into your gut as you left, though you still gave a smile at the guard Dedenne as you passed. One gave an eager goodbye wave, while the other huffed at their companion, clearly the more seasoned of the two.
You decided to walk back to the hotel instead of taking a taxi or other public transit. Now that you were trying to find them, you noticed a lot of Mega Crystals on walls and sidewalks, dotted around like Wiglett dens on a beach. They must not have pinged your radar because you were used to random crystal formations already. You'd have to ask Arven if he'd noticed or heard about them too, though mostly to make you feel better about your lack of awareness.
The unease lingered, and you found yourself toying with your bracelet again. Paldea and Kalos were neighboring regions. Everything that happened in Area Zero…it hadn't accidentally seeped over, had it? No, that didn't quite make sense. The Quasartico rep had said they were related to Mega Evolution, though the timing of them popping up five years ago was uncanny. And it wasn't like anyone outside of Paldea’s League, Director Clavell, or you and the Crater Crew was aware of the barely averted ecodisaster in Paldea. And from what you could remember, Kalos’s own disaster had been closer to 10 years ago. As you got closer to the hotel, you decided it wouldn't hurt to send a Mega Shard to Jacq to be on the safe side.
You were going to need to let out your Pokemon soon anyways, so you decided to send out the most nimble of your team: Ogerpon.
She appeared in a swirl of green, trilling happily as she stretched her legs. Ogerpon skipped alongside you as you continued walking, taking in the new city with her large starry eyes.
You pointed out a growth of crystal to her as you passed a corner. “Ogerpon, do you think you could break that apart for me?”.
With a nod and a well-timed kick, it shattered, and you picked one of the shards up, holding it to the sun. All of the groupings you'd passed seemed to be the same color, a pretty tourmaline pink. Tera Dens and shards came in all sorts of colors, corresponding with Pokemon types, but the pink they took on was more rose quartz adjacent. Even with only pictures as a reference, the crystals were quite similar to Anistar's Sundial, though more opaque.
“What do you think, ‘Pon?”. Ogerpon admired the crystal, before tucking some of the shards into her cloak, making you laugh. “They are pretty.”
Along the way, you bought one of Lumiose's famous Galettes for Ogerpon to try, as well as some for the rest of your team when you got back to the hotel. As she happily munched on the treat walking alongside you, you couldn't help but be whisked back to your initial trip to Kitikami.
Because of an unfortunately timed injury for Jacq, and a fortunately timed visit to Nurse Miriam's to see if you had a flu, you were delegated as Naranja's chaperone in place of Jacq. It was mostly just glorified kid corralling, with some Pokedex research for Jacq on the side.
You were glad to see one familiar face on the trip too, a girl named Juliana who had found Koraidon on the beach, and then you, concussed and confused in bushes closer to Poco’s lighthouse.
The school trip was planned to coincide with Kitikami 's Festival of Masks. You had been gifted a candied apple by a vendor, and were sitting at the outskirts of the festivities. You were tired. You'd been feeling a bone-deep fatigue periodically. And you felt nauseous, holding the stick lightly in your hand, trying not to gag on the sickly sweet smell of the candy. Which was unfortunate because it looked amazing.
You hadn't had a chance to have Nurse Miriam take your temperature or check if you were sick, too distracted by Jacq’s request upon entering her office. You'd thought you could just power through it, but whatever was up was really kicking your ass.
You contemplated leaving the festival early, when out of the corner of your eye you saw a small figure. It looked like a child, maybe 8 or 10, standing hesitantly at the outside of the square. Their costume was very cute, from what you could make out from the low lights of the lanterns. The ogre mask was detailed with jeweled accents that glittered, and before you could help yourself you called out.
“I like your mask!”.
The kid startled, and you waved, giving a gentle smile to hopefully lessen the shock you gave them.
They rocked back and forth on their legs, before deciding to come your way.
“Are you lost?” You asked, eyes scanning the area for another adult. The kid shook their head no, hesitantly. You figured they were shy. Or maybe they couldn't speak. You didn't know sign language, unfortunately, and it seemed rude to just ask, so you merely hummed.
“Needed a break from the hustle, huh? It’s pretty loud. Fun, but loud.”.
They didn't say anything but swayed in agreement, longingly looking out at the fellow festival-goers.
You held your candied apple out towards them. “Would you like this? I'm not feeling very hungry, but I don't want to waste it.”
After a moment of consideration, they grabbed it through their cloak. The kid was very committed to the costume. Or maybe it was a Linus situation and it was a blanket they refused to part with. Sweet either way.
The child pointed at the bracelet on your wrist, tilting their head in a questioning manner. You glanced down to it, the pearls softly reflecting the lantern light.
“It's pretty, huh?”. You held it up for them to look at better, and they made a soft noise in response. “I don't remember who made it…but I know they were important to me.”
You suddenly felt very vulnerable as the child just stared at you. You couldn't see their eyes under the mask, but it felt like they were studying you.
A call of your name came from the Ogre Ousting booth. Carmine was hollering for you, something about you needing to watch her stomp Juliana into the ground. When you turned around to say goodbye, the kid was gone.
A tug on your sleeve brought you out of your reminiscing. Ogerpon looked up at you with clear concern on her face. You smiled down at her. “Don't worry, I'm not Zoning Out. I was just thinking about the first time we met. It's silly, but…was the candied apple any good?”
Ogerpon stared at you blanky before she gave you a big toothy grin. “Pon!”
“Oh, it was good huh?”
“Pon pon!”
“The best apple you've ever had!”
She giggled, giving a little wink and sticking her tongue out. You laughed alongside her, any lingering anxiety from earlier fully gone.
***
After feeding the rest of your team, you tried taking a nap before going to pick your kids up. It wasn't very restful, unfortunately. You felt too uptight, excited and nervous for the upcoming night.
Miles and Emmeline had enjoyed their first day, Emmeline even stating the Academie was almost as awesome as Naranja. Almost, of course. You made their favorite dinner, and before you knew it, Arven had arrived to watch your kids for the night. It hopefully wouldn't be too difficult, since they were ready for bed. He pretended not to watch as you said goodnight to your kids.
“Why can't we go with you?” Emmeline whined.
“Because you,” and you booped her nose, making her crack a smile before trying to scowl again. “Need to sleep.”.
“No I don't! I've got…Imonium.”
“Insomnia?”
“Yes!”. But a yawn caught her off guard, making you grin. “I'll see you tomorrow.”
“Can we watch you battle sometime?” Miles asked, eyes hopeful.
“Maybe for your birthday…”
Emmeline gasped, your earlier transgression forgotten. “Me too!?”
You laughed. “Yes, both of you.”.
“Miles, we need to draw up some battle plans for our birthday!”. The two scampered off, grabbing a notebook and some crayons from the nightstand before jumping on their shared bed. You winced at Emmeline's volume. She was trying, but not always very good at using an “indoor voice”. You were up on the fourth floor, and as far as you could tell, you were the only one up this high. Honestly you weren't sure if anyone else was staying at the hotel besides Taunie and AZ.
“Sure you can handle them, Arven?”
Arven grinned, watching them huddled together, whispering ideas. “I think it'll be a piece of cake. Think you're ready for tonight?”
“As ready as I'll ever be.”. You paused, looking at Arven. “Are you sure you don't want to participate too?”
He raised an eyebrow. “Uh, yeah? I've had, like, the last 5 months to give it a shot.” Your mouth pressed into a thin line, and Arven’s visible eye softened. “Trust me, you're not making me do anything I don't want to do. I'm the one who wanted you to come. Heck, I even offered to watch the kiddos while you battle!”.
You weren't quite sure how to express that you still felt like a burden after all this time, and to be honest, that seemed more like something you'd want to bring up with a therapist, so you just smiled instead.
“Well, I guess I can't argue against that. How much did we decide you'd earn each night, again? Was it an hourly rate or a flat rate?”
Arven scoffed. “I told you not to pay me. I'm gonna be asleep most of the time anyways.”
“But not the whole time-”
Your Poketch buzzed, alerting you to the Battle Zone’s location for the night. Arven used the distraction in his favor. “Well, looks like you've gotta get going! I'll see you in the morning.”
You huffed, letting the topic of payment drop. You'd just tuck the money into his bag when he wasn't looking.
With a final goodbye, you stepped out of your hotel room, making sure you had everything packed in your bag. AZ smiled kindly at you from where he stood behind the service desk, before his attention was drawn back to the foyer, where two young adults were sitting.
One of them, a stylishly dressed boy, was talking to the other, a girl that was fiddling with her long hair.
“I wish Taunie would let us know when she's running late.”
His eyes comically widened as you stepped into view, startled, and his friend jumped up in excitement.
“Oh!! You must be the new guest!”. The girl was taller than average, but confident, moving fluidly over to you. “I'm Lida, and that over there is Naveen.”
“Don't introduce me without permission,” you heard Naveen mutter. You gave a friendly wave to them.
“Are you competing in the Tournament tonight? Or, are you too old to? Taunie mentioned you were, like, a grandma or something.”
You felt yourself deflate a little, catching AZ chuckling out of the corner of your eye. You didn't know your exact age but you didn't look grandma age. Maybe this was just karma for the auntie thing with Carmine.
“I’m competing tonight, yeah. I'm just a mom, haven't evolved to grandmother just yet.”
AZ’s chuckling turned into a light coughing fit, and you turned to him, concerned. He waved you and Lida off shakily, composing himself soon enough as Floette traded her flower for a cup of water to hand him.
“...My apologies. I am still unused to laughing, though I am glad I can embrace such joy again, after everything.”. Floette trilled, nuzzling against his cheek.
You nodded. Depression was a bitch like that.
“Sorry I'm late! I was busy-”
“Helping people. We know,” Naveen and Lida said in unison as Taunie finally arrived. She said hello to you before the group moved into the dining room, “To plan out Team MZ’s next move!”.
You turned to AZ before you really left. “Are you sure you're okay?”
AZ nodded once, and Floette chimed beside him in agreement. “Better than I have been in quite some time. Do not let me keep you any further from your plans for the evening.”.
If his Floette wasn't worried, then you supposed you didn't need to be either. With another nod in farewell, you were finally out the door. Thankfully the Battle Zone was nearby, past one of Lumiose's new Wild Zones.
You stood outside of the red holo-light, trying to psych yourself up. Finally, you entered, ready to battle all Lumiose had to offer.