Twin Colors - Chapter 1 - tremor3258 - Pocket Monsters (2024)

Chapter Text

Twin Colors:

By tremor3258

Chapter 1: Waking up times 2

Rose awoke, and knew instantly she was in a strange bed – the sheets thin, old, and never colors she would pick. She opened her eyes to a stranger room than the motels and cottages of recent days, and looked across a tidily kept room to see… Rose. Like a funhouse mirror, distorted, small – and waking as well. Blue and green striped hair, shoulder length, deep green eyes. Rose shook her head, her hair didn’t seem as long, and grabbing it briefly in disbelief, noticed it didn’t have the extra red stripes she usually dyed in.

Rose reached to swing herself to stand up and hit the floor – she’d braced too soon, and looking at her hands, they were too small. She rubbed her knees where she’d hit, it felt like it was starting to bruise. Bonding with Pokemon meant enhanced physical resistance as one of the side benefits, and she definitely hadn’t hit that hard.

The other her shot up in bed and looked around, confused, before staring down accusingly. “How are you still here? And why are you tiny?” she said loftily, then grasped her throat, surprised. She was wearing Cherubi-themed pajamas; Rose glanced down to see she was in Oddish and was obscurely pleased they didn’t match.

Rose started, “From the other world, Ro-“ she stopped the question, that wasn’t right, somehow. Then her hands went to her own mouth. That hadn’t been Kantonian at all. And the accent felt strange to her but the mouth apparently had other ideas.

“No, everything’s dim, but I know what the energy felt like in your world, this isn’t it,” the other girl said, and smacked her lips in disgust. “What am I speaking? I sound like you? Is this Galarian?”

“I sound like that? I can hear a little Sinnoh in yours but not nearly what my accent is,” Rose said. Rose’s mind felt like it was trying to connect somewhere and being cut off.

“This isn’t Galarian at least – small blessing,” the other Rose asserted, and got out of bed, though more carefully after seeing Rose’s example. Without thinking she went to extend a hand to Rose’s shoulder, who flinched at the touch. The other Rose jumped back, struck.

“Right, you said you were bad with that – I know that, why did I?” the other Rose asked aloud, looking around the room.

The room’s paint still gleamed with a shiny newness; divided into two colors with no regards if they clashed with violet behind Rose and red in front of her. Beds were at either wall while a twin desk sat underneath a window – it looked like morning outside but apparently a northern exposure so no sun was entering. The landscape of lawns and red-shingled houses wasn’t recognizable to her.

They had moved – the thought floated up. With her and “Mei?” Rose asked aloud. The other, who had gone to look at the desk, started and turned around.

“Yes? No… yes?” the other Rose- Mei said. She blinked in confusion, studying a paper in her hands. Rose looked around the room – her apparent side had a few posters of forest scenes with brightly glowing wings moving across them. A few stickers were on pictures of a cheerful looking man in a hat. A few books on botany and photography near the top of the bed shared space with a couple Budew plushies and a stuffed Cottonee. There were closets farther down and a few closed chests.

Mei’s side had her own set of similar plushies, though there was a Pumpkaboo instead. Evidently, she’d hung a picture of an action scene of a Charizard breathing flames with its caped trainer obscured in the background. A small model building in the ‘golem-builders’ style was half-constructed near books on history and botany at the top of the bed.

Mei wordlessly meanwhile flipped the paper around. It was a map, scribbled with Pokemon names on it with arrows leading to circles on the map. The land was vaguely familiar. “Paldea?” Rose guessed, confused.

“I don’t, didn’t, speak Paldean,” Mei said, “And I can’t read Galarian at all except I read the book spines just now. Where are we? How are we? You’d gone back to your world. Did you shrink me?”

Rose carefully got to her feet, and rubbed her knee, definite bruising there. Mei started to reach again and caught herself. “Or someone shrank me,” Rose retorted.

“How’d you get hurt from that?” Mei asked, “Did you slack off your Pokemon training?” On saying it, the color drained from her face, and she patted at her belt frantically for something that wasn’t there, and started tearing the sheets off the bed.

Rose realized after a second and went through the same gestures. Her partners weren’t there. She rushed to the desk, and opened it – there were writing utensils in there, the top of the desk was clean except for a couple phones charging.

She reached out mentally – and got nothing. Not even disruption, there was never a connection. Her partners weren’t there at all, there was no road at all to follow. Shocked, Rose collapsed to the floor.

“They’re not there at all,” she said, whispering. Mei looked over, frantic, then closed her eyes for a second herself, and whimpered.

“How – the last thing I remember is the dragons before waking up-“ Mei stopped, and her eyes narrowed dangerously. Now she marched across the room, and heedless of Rose’s feelings, put her hands on her shoulders. “What did you do, Rose?” Mei asked, low and dangerous.

Rose’s head swam and she twisted uncomfortably, trying to escape. “I remember leaving, before that… we had the fight, and we talked? Maybe – that’s fuzzy. I should know where we are,” Rose took deep breaths, trying to maintain some calm.

Mei took her hands off, “What did you do, Rose?” she repeated, anger draining out of it.

“I just… I asked if they had to stitch it back together, to move you somewhere better,” Rose said, concentrating. “The world was falling apart and they had to intervene – you’d such a bad hand, I couldn’t leave you with any version of our father alone. And Team Flare would have more trouble without you, so win for the dragons.”

“That’s right,” Mei said, “But… you had a wish from creation, and you gave it to me,” she said, slowly, amazed.

“Your world was in lousy shape, I had my half-sisters back home,” Rose said. “Or I did. What happened next?” she said. It almost felt like there were blocks in the way when she tried to recall.

“No, you did something else,” Mei said, concentrating, then shook her head, “Wherever we are, it’d be better for my partners, I’m sure – no frost getting stuck in their heads, the tests, the blood-draws, the samples, the tests.” She ended at a cold whisper, remembering a bad place.

“None of that,” Rose said sharply, “Just… all of that gone, is what I wanted, but your father hadn’t gone around having a bunch of kids, so I wanted to give something else too.”

“You came along,” Mei said slowly, like forcing the words out, “You didn’t want me to be alone.” Mei’s eyes sparkled with tears.

Rose looked down at the floor, uncomfortable with the emotion. “Or one of me, I’m not sure how it works,” she confessed, “Your life was so bad, I couldn’t think of just one thing to help fix it. I just hope Gabriel’s not about to walk in… why can’t I remember?” Everything felt fuzzy trying to press through, and suddenly she yelped, head almost cracking open in sudden pain. Mei gasped and collapsed as well as her vision went dim.

Suddenly it stopped – as did any noise or movement in the window outside. Light suddenly shone through it after a moment, scattering like a brilliant diamond prism into a rainbow; as a shining pearl globe surrounded them.

****

There was a quaver, and a deep rumble – something more like will than actually heard through the ears..

The timeline is nearly set; we paused this moment to prepare in thanks for your services to humans and Pokemon. We wished to not interfere with your journey however human memories are complex through the rift and –

There was a flash of light and two Roses of different times found themselves elsewhere with a lurch – and Rose realized the ground was as far away as she remembered, and turned and saw the same near-copy of her face she’d been facing for a while on her adventure, in the ragged cut Mei had used to remove the Team Flare styling. She touched her own face to confirm it had matured as well.

The space had no walls, but the ground was covered with circles; interlocking in sets of threes more and more around each other, with a shimmer of light, three great dragons appeared as if at points of a triangle, somewhere on the way to infinity. Mei’s mouth dropped in shock as Rose got to her knees. Mighty Palkia of Boundaries and Dialga of Eons stood impassively. Giratina of the Void hissed a greeting and bowed its head slightly. Whatever world they were in, this Renegade Pokemon remembered them working together.

One of the three, or all of the three continued. Human memories are complex through the rift – we wished to acknowledge your aid by providing you and complete your wish of a different lifeline for the Knight of Kalos, however-

“You can’t have them!” a voice rang out, interrupting. Shifting its elephantine legs slightly, Giratina revealed two young forms. Rose and… other Rose, somehow also in the space. The two were clutching hands, and their free hands were in fists, trembling by their sides.

The other spoke – neither Rose was sure which was which at the moment; their experiences had made their faces a closer match than the varied life of the older souls. “This was our journey! We worked hard to get ready for it! One of us is going to win the Champion Cup from the other!” The other nodded emphatically.

Our attempts were more forceful than we had intended, and we apologize. The voice continued. We had not meant disruption, only to acknowledge these previous selves’ efforts and give the advantage of experience in Pokemon and humans. We had spun your lifelines on a different chain as the world was remade, but had not considered how humans process emotions.

“So what’s this?” the Rose of Kalos asked, taking in with a bit of a helpless desperation, the space.

A negotiating space – given the extent of your existences, interfering to attempt full removal would require our direct manifestation, and provide the disruption to your lifelines we were hoping to avoid. Again, Giratina rasped. Sinnoh Rose was getting the sense from that massive face there was some schadenfreude somehow involved at the situation.

“I don’t want to be her, she’s terrible!” one of the two said – Rose realized as they’d stepped forward a bit it was Mei judging by the pajamas. Or mental image of pajamas.

“You’re… not wrong,” Kalos Rose said, “I did a lot of things for very bad people thinking it was the right thing to do; and it’s not something I’d had any time to begin making up.”

The Last Knight of Kalos looked down at the ground, “I’d thought the idea of some me being happier with the wish was more than I deserved – I don’t want to hurt anyone.” Little Mei looked askance at the contrition. Mini-Rose stepped forward and they grabbed hands again.

Rose couldn’t help but be surprised by that, and apparently mini-Rose noticed. Mini-Rose drew Mei tighter to her. “I don’t want to be lonely all the time and sad at myself. I like people. Some people. Quiet ones. I’ve Mei, the house Pokemon, we’ll have our own soon and Mom-“

“Mama’s alive here?” Rose said weakly. The Kalos timeline of her actually fell to the floor.

Giratina rumbled again, but it was still for several seconds before the mental voice continued. An acknowledgement of service, we can say no more.

“I can’t take that from them,” the Knight said quietly. “Whatever time you have left with Hannah is so precious. I’ve a few, and they’re so good. I wouldn’t want to push that way”

“Mama’s doing much better since we moved!” the little Rose assured. Mei nodded.

“I… thank you for putting us somewhere better, great dragons” Rose said politely, “But I don’t want to sour their lives.” Rose’s vacation turning into a grand adventure had put her with closer contact with people than she’d had in years. Having her face yell at her decisions stung, but if this one didn’t have all her issues, she couldn’t do that.

“The Knight is full of Ice,” Mei said with real loathing. Mini-Rose looked over in surprise and actually drew Mei back several steps towards Giratina.

“They’re right,” the Kalosian said, tears on her face. “A lot of my strength was forced, great dragons – the team I’d had so long - we loathed each other, as strong as we made each other. Even my last team were only allies of convenience against Flare. We weren’t friends.”

“You still beat me,” Rose noted, still a bit irritated at that. That sparked a thought, and Rose turned to address the Dragon of Space directly. “Across the rift – Rose and I are the same soul; our Pokemon saw us both as their trainer and got weakened and confused. Is that going to hurt them?”

That has been handled in their lifelines.

“Can we go away somehow?” the Kalos version asked, “I want you to do better but… I don’t like me. I can barely stand being me.”

Sinnoh Rose shifted uncomfortably and crossed her arms, before admitting, “I’ve done some things I’d do differently.”

“We know!” the twins replied together, looking like they’d been chewing lemons. Giratina burbled briefly.

It was our joy to give the advanced training the Champion of Kalos and Giratina’s Chosen had on to these lives in the new existence, to be able to advance your new dreams.

“Your memories are both pretty good too, right?” Rose asked. The twins nodded cautiously. “So even if it was ‘before’ they remembered and started this life or just now, they’d get a lot of how we felt about it too, and we’re – how old are you?”

“We turned ten six months ago,” Mei said proudly.

“Eight years longer, for however much time was working at the end,” Kalos Rose said glumly. “There’d be a lot of us over them.” Giratina hissed.

That had not been considered – your existence here is also a projection, as the new lives’ souls are theirs; yours remains your own through the great mechanisms of the universe, and are not added to them.

“Great dragons,” Rose said, “My wish was to move the Knight of Kalos to a better place to hopefully create a better world overall – not weight her down with memories of tragedies not her own.”

“Thank you for coming along,” the mini-Rose said, “I really like having a sister.” Mei nodded. Rose smiled, slightly at that.

“I always wanted one – I got some, still have, them, it sounds like,” Rose said, “I was hoping to pass on the experience, but not like this.”

Most of the previous events of your lives are not repeated; the larger events proceeded in different ways. The voice admitted.

“I’d like to bow out – dragons of creation, you are Pokemon and I know you couldn’t tell which to take. Put us at one remove if you can, emotionally, even if alien; or as a dream that they know is real, but don’t just add us in over them. There is too much of us,” Kalos Rose begged.

Giratina nodded at this. There was silence for a bit.

That is manageable, and we believe acceptable to fulfill the terms of your request, and our duty to creation to honor the bond between humans and Pokemon.

The little Mei burst out, “So… did humans comes from somewhere else and get inserted in this dimension, or did we evolve separate somehow from like a psychic Pokemon species? A lot of people want to know, and they usually put it as that way or the other.” The dragons turned and gave a look, and Mei shrugged, unrepentant.

That is not a question we are able to answer. May we continue? The voice said, a bit icily. Mei nodded meekly at that.

We apologize for this torment on a grand day. We place no obligation on you for this service, and give this reward noting none was promised or expected for your efforts. Nonetheless, we thank you. This new timeline awaits you, with the aid we hope to complete your dreams more easily from the last. Yours is one of the great eras of change, of powerful trainers rising in ever-increasing numbers to bring together and hone the powers of Pokemon. Live well.

Rose saw her other self starting to turn translucent, and felt like her train of thought was struggling more and more to hold. There was still one thing she had to do…

“I’m sorry,” she managed, feeling herself fading into the background of this new life, “Have wonderful lives, it’s all I hope.” The two faded, leaving the younger twins.

The twins pressed hands to their temples, like a throbbing as a daunting… dream, maybe a nightmare settled, but didn’t claw, at least for the moment. The memories had been there – now they weren’t drowning them, easier to see all those hopes and fears at a remove. Hopefully, it would work, as gods interfered with the affairs of men.

The Lords of Time and Space bowed and faded out, leaving Giratina for a moment. The great dragon rumbled again.

I apologize – the great dragons are not able to see the world at a remove. I being the reflection and having known your previous existence more directly, I disagreed. I consider I still owe you a boon.

The twins mouths dropped open, but nothing came out. Giratina’s jaw opened in a hissing rumble.

I am aware that is not perhaps a blessing either. None can see all the shape the world will take, but great trainers often encounter great obstacles; and I know your two’s intentions. Should it be necessary, I shall give my aid.

Rose drew back a bit, but Mei looked up in awe at the dragon. “That’s… a lot to ask of a ten year old,” she said eventually, then blinked.

“Okay, there is a little bleed-in there, I was much more giddy last night,” Mei said, sadly.

“I’m sorry, on her behalf – maybe it’ll help us out?” Rose said. She flexed her fingers. In theory, years of battle styles and journeying were in there. But she had the decisions without their reasoning, Pokemon and move picks that she couldn’t quite see the appeal.

“Not really our fault,” Mei said.

Correct Giratina added, as friendly as it could manage, which was its own flavor of terror.

I will take my leave as well. Though it was not your lives, you allowed this world to be salvaged, without requiring higher invocation. I imagine you two have a lot to discuss.

The great space faded with a flash, heading back to Mei and Rose’s room. Neither said anything for a bit, even as the noise started again outside.

“Why was the giant ghost dragon of antimatter the most personable?” Mei eventually asked. Rose shrugged helplessly.

“Slap me if I ever go into that much that I’m a failure,” Rose pleaded, “Just echoes around the memories. I can hear it, her looking at situations and saying she’s bad. But Victory Road – Victory Road! And a Ranger! But she’s like that.”

“A lot of what’s in here just seems dulled; from whatever Flare did. Just do whatever so it hurts less, because it was easier than fighting,” Mei said in disgust. “Don’t let me give up either. What’s good Pokemon if you don’t want to be together.”

“I wasn’t expecting a simple morning,” Rose said, weary, and still in pain from the bruise, as she rubbed her knee again.

“Did it break skin?” Mei asked in concern. Rose shook her head.

“What a morning,” Mei continued.

“I’m pretty sure we should be screaming,” Rose noted.

“Either shock, we’re hypnotized, or the last bits of those two are shielding us from the worse,” Mei said, also calm.

“Still, let’s try and look at the good side. There’s a version of us made Champion! A bad Champion, but still! If she could do it, I know we can!” Mei said, voice rising happily as she considered it. The two grabbed hands and squealed in excitement at that.

Once that calmed down a little, the twins hit their phones. The two had been woken up an hour before their alarms – and neither was hoping to confirm to their mother that it indeed took divine intervention for them to wake up early, so best to stay quiet.

With a lot going on in their heads; the two after discussion were checking the recent history they hadn’t bothered before to look at to compare. It was turning out for the best, because there was a lot of things that weren’t fitting from the deliberately fogged recollection.

“Okay, near as I can figure – Mom is the same age as the timelines we incarnated from, or got reset from, or… whatever, the world got overwritten a bit,” Mei said, scratching numbers on a pad while tapping at her Rotom phone. The two usually spoke Kantonian privately in spite of their mother’s wishes. They were keeping it in Paldean to try and differentiate themselves a bit more from what had gone before - neither had any knowledge of the language in their old lives.

“But we’re… what, seven years or so younger? It’s a few months before the last date ‘that one’ remembered, so we got pushed forward. I glanced at Sinnoh news; the weather is much, much better than I remember last fall being,” Rose asked.

“Really? That’s odd. I remember the weather being terrible all over Kantonian regions. Like all the time for years. Was a big news story they were expecting another winter of storms,” Mei said. “I did find the Kalos crisis – Flare got nowhere compared to what I remember, and weren’t working on a dimensional breach at all, everything was on the Ultimate Weapon, so I guess they never managed that reserve of Infinite Energy. Lysandre is missing but most of Flare got rounded up. Oh, looks like your little group got swapped for five kids from Vaniville. They got the Hero of Kalos awarded for stopping him. One of them beat Diantha,” Mei gave a little fist pump.

Rose grinned at that.

“What?” Mei asked.

“Smug it took three years longer for someone to beat her than a you?” Rose asked, grinning cheekily.

“Maybe a little,” Mei admitted.

“Where is Vaniville anyway?” Rose asked, “I never was up on Kalos geography.”

“I think I actually know it better here – I can certainly read Kalosian better than that self did,” Mei said, shaking her head. “They really used her for one thing. You don’t mind if it takes us a few extra years to reach the Galar Cup because we’re studying? I’m really coming around on Mom’s perspective to have a balanced education.” Rose nodded and gave one of their hand signs to continue.

“Anyway, Vaniville’s a little town in the southeast. Really tiny. Surprised they had five kids the same age, let alone a Champion, but it looks like they were disciples of Professor Sycamore.”

“That would be why they weren’t around then,” Rose said grimly. Mei sighed and nodded.

“That wasn’t ever me, for what it’s worth,” Mei said.

“I know,” Rose said, “I wouldn’t blame you for what someone with a completely different history did anyway.”

“Though maybe Mom shouldn’t have moved to Hammerlocke but somewhere smaller?” Mei said, “Gloria and Leon both were from nowhere and look at them.”

“Oh, Dawn was the same way in Sinnoh – from a little town, though there was a big Pokemon research lab there; like a little sleeper community for Jubilife City,” Rose commented.

“Oh you met the Sinnoh champ?” Mei asked, interested. That had never came up.

“She gave me a match, creamed me – but I remember that I was giddy afterward. Like suddenly planning forward in a way I hadn’t for years,” Rose said, fondly, “It was like facing the sun;I do remember. One thing with the memories, before she got miserable at her progress, it was as exciting as we thought it would be.”

“Yeah, call me if you get that frustrated,” Mei said with real concern, “I’ll try to set you straight.” Rose nodded.

“So I guess Kalos is fine, and we had that exciting day back at Hammerlocke because the Chairman went crazy, but Champion Gloria took care of that, and Sinnoh seems better than either of us remember,” Mei said.

“Yeah. I’m a little intimidated how many regional-level crises there have been the last few years,” Rose said, surprised. Mei nodded at that.

“I had no idea things were crazy in Unova for a while,” Mei said.

“Really happy Mom moved to Galar for the humidity instead,” Rose said, and shuddered.

“One weird thing? She disappeared into a blizzard in old Rose’s life too – the same time as the one she vanished into here. That was what killed her, after a few months,” Rose added, confused.

“Mine… was already in Kalos,” Mei said, thinking back, “I was young enough I can’t remember much. But her breathing just kept getting worse and worse. I remember Gabriel being angry at it, but that’s him. So she disappeared in a blizzard at the Sinnoh Crisis in the no-fairy timeline too?”

Rose nodded.

“I definitely remember that the weather in Sinnoh had suddenly gotten terrible that winter. I was much older so it isn’t as hazy as when we were three. Gabriel was long gone by then, and I never knew why until much later,” Rose said. “There wasn’t… whatever with the Snover and the Tauros either.”

Mei sighed. Somethinghad happened when they were almost three, they were never any good with ice types, having a giant natural capacity to connect with grass. They’d had Oddishes usually following them around when playing even if Galar you weren’t supposed to have Pokemon partners before ten.

But Ice Pokemon usually attacked them on sight if they were wild. Hannah and their ‘uncle’ Olive had mentioned a Weavile once tried to tear through a wall to get at them when you. Fortunately ice types were rare near Hammerlocke, except for trained ones which were better behaved, if irritated at their existence.

But when they’d been three, there had been something, they’d been able to agree, with a Snover. Probably with their father, and one of their mother’s line of battle Tauros. Gabriel had vanished from their lives after that, they remembered clearly he was gone.

Hannah didn’t really speak of anything that winter, besides her health getting worse. So she sold the ranch and went to Galar to work for Grow Sures. And by the time they were old enough to realize they should probably ask someone else, Hannah had convinced everyone from Solaceon when they tried calling to avoid the subject.

“But yeah, Mom had needed to go out, even though the storm was terrible. When she came back, she could barely stand, and didn’t say anything about why and where, and no one else would either. She passed away a few months later, and I sold the ranch and headed off,” Rose said sadly.

“I’m really happy somehow we avoided that, but I have to admit that all sounds really suspicious,” Mei said.

“I hope Gabriel’s dead,” Rose said, vehemently. “I usually do, but extra now, especially if she needed to be there for some reason. He was never a help in any timeline.”

“That’s all done, I hope,” Mei said, “No need to bring it up to Mom that she was dead, I think. This day is already weird enough. We head downstairs when the alarm goes off, finish packing, act as totally normal as we usually are.”

“So very weird,” Rose interrupted. Mei nodded.

“That level of normal, yes,” Mei continued with a giggle, “Head off to Naranja and finally get Pokemon, and then talk to her later when we feel better about it.”

“I guess we could have gotten them this month since Paldea’s better about it? I thought I was excited before, but now I remember having a team, even dimly, I can’t wait! I can’t wait!” Rose said, giddy.

“We had the move, Mom had to get set up at the Grow Sures lab here; then there was that conference last week,” Mei said with a sigh, “And Naranja has those study Pokemon anyway, so I guess it made sense, but man, my hands feel like I’m itching for Poke balls now.”

“So we stick to the plan?” Rose said.

“After all the time we spent? I hope so!” Mei said, “Naranja was kind of a surprise but I’m glad we both passed to get in.” She swallowed for a sec, “Shame about the quick-learn language for Paldean this summer.”

“I sound more Sinnoh than I have in years no matter what language,” Rose said with a sigh, “I’d almost gotten people to stop asking ‘how long are you staying in Hammerlocke?’ back home.”

“All that time earning Kalosian to annoy Mom and now I can barely tell what I’m saying,” Mei complained.

“I know we had to do the electronic assist for school. Mom was right, we didn’t have enough time to learn Paldean normally,” Mei said.

“Not that our Kalosian got that good. We only had each other to practice on,” Rose said.

“It took forever to learn Galarian properly, too, but at least I can read everything. And I do think the myths read better in the original Kalosian,” Mei said. She shuddered.

“I can’t believe she barely had the chances to even crack a book,” Mei added.

“A couple years later to get better tech is nice too; the phone network in Sinnoh is lousy. I never had a smartphone with me to start picking up taking pictures,” Rose remarked, then paused to consider.

“Though thinking of history and tech - Kalos was a squabbling pit of castles from endless wars in that timeline,” Rose said, “So actual Gabriel’s family where we actually are would be much more like the one you remember. Do you regret all that reading you did on Kalos genealogy and history now that you’ve it first-hand?”

Mei stopped, and chewed on a pencil for a bit before she caught herself and stopped. “No,” Mei said, “It was always this hole that Mom never spoke about and I wanted to go into it, as usual. I never met much of my family there – I don’t think they wanted anything to do with Team Flare; old money; until it was too late. And we’ve never met them here. The actual ideals of Kalos history warm me up far more than ‘whatever Lysandre wanted’ that she did.”

“I guess we’re the black sheep of the Desrosiers still, they didn’t reach out when we were in Galar at all, and that’s much closer to Kalos,” Rose said sadly. Mei blinked a little in surprise – last names really weren’t in fashion for most things the last couple decades.

“Gabriel might be dead, but he also could have gone home and told terrible things about Mom,” Mei said, anger heating her voice. She shook her head.

“That wasn’t all me. I don’t think about him as much as she did,” she said, irritated. The two sighed.

“We’re moving to school today, should we get ready? I only had before the trainers’ school stuff like what we had in Galar when we did in-person sessions,” Rose said, “So it’s totally new, they can’t shade it. And get Pokemon.”

“Definitely get Pokemon,” Mei said. Having Pokemon was such a natural state of being, even with the old Knight having dissipated herself a bit. Mei found herself looking and reaching out for things not there.

“And new is good,” Mei said, flexing her fingers as she stood up to change. “This day isn’t really how I wanted to adventure.”

“No all this, I don’t think I’m a panicky person,” Rose said, “And I know you’re not – but we’re still taking this really well.”

“I think you’re pretty level-headed,” Mei said, “Well, flightier than me, but no, we’re pretty tough, as Mom says. I’m not sure if I’m really somehow at ease with it or suppressing really hard.”

Rose blinked a few times, considering, then said, “Okay, yeah, a little worried if you’re suppressing, but not really worried. Huh. Does it wear off?”

“If it doesn’t I know what I’m asking Giratina for,” Mei said levelly. “Come on, stop sitting. You were right, our alarms are going off soon. First day, we need to look fancy.”

“Girls, down!” Hannah called up from the kitchen. She brushed a hand through her hair and looked at her bangs. Grey was starting to settle in among the sea-blue streaks in the dark blue, and she sighed at the treachery.

The small house’s kitchen was open concept, which gave plenty of space for the pet Pokemon allowed inside. But also Hannah couldn’t really stop them from wandering into the kitchen to investigate unless she set up to give orders.

The table was covered with plastic bags –the biotech expo in Marinada had gone late in the final address. She’d gotten back to Artazon too late to get up early, so mother’s special breakfast had been ordered in, and that was proving fascinating for the house’s little pet pack.

A Galarian-style Meowth and Yamper chased each other, excited by the smells, around the table legs.

“C’mon, seriously – does it take dragons to get you guys moving?” Hannah called again. She’d expected more energy today – their expectations were probably unreasonably high. She hoped a bit, coming crashing down would set a better pace.

Both Oddish were on the table jumping up and down to get the height to peer in to one of the bags. Her Purrloin wasn’t bothering to expend so much energy, but watched carefully for any signs that a treat for him might be coming out of the bed. Even her new Wattrel, Zappy, was staring in from the window over the sink.

“I know you guys are sad they’re leaving,” Hannah scolded them, “But you’re usually better than this.” The pet Pokemon stopped briefly, but then went back to pawing at the bags. Hannah rolled her eyes, it was too busy a morning for all this. She really didn’t want to stop and have to go order them as a trainer one after the other.

In a small blessing, her battle Pokemon were on her belt – they really didn’t need a Tauros and a Roserade crowded in here too!

“Girls, I can’t hold them off much longer! Move!” Hannah yelled.

There was a reluctant thumping down the stairs as her girls came in, dressed in the Naranja summer uniform. Paldean fall was more of a concept than an actual temperature across most of the region; let alone how mild the winters were.

“Sandals with tights, you two?” Hannah said, looking them over, and trying to stay critical. The tears starting to well up were making it difficult. Her babies were adults, or about to be. Once they had Pokemon of their own. On top of that, they were headed to one of the great schools of the world. It was a much more advantageous journey than she’d thought possible back in Solaceon when she’d had them with… him.

Mei and Rose looked themselves over briefly- very slightly green-tinted white tights, an assortment of bracelets on both their wrists in their favored colors, and they’d done their nails up as well the night before. Mei had won the coin toss to keep her hair longer and had braided it, with Rose doing hers in in a ponytail. Both had their studs in – small blessing, Rose had a bad habit of putting her down somewhere and having to retrace her steps. The twins had an abhorrence to being mistaken for one another, so the uniform policy had been the biggest sticking point for them accepting Naranja.

But fortunately… “Naranja has a very flexible accessory policy,” Mei answered, “As long as you wear the pants and shirt on the list.”

Rose snapped the suspenders. “I’m not fond of these still,” she admitted.

“Until we got the updated list this summer, they used to have ties as well,” Hannah said, “So maybe give it a year and they’ll catch up further to fashion?”

The two shrugged, and Hannah frowned. Something in the motion was different. She hoped nerves weren’t overwhelming them – they’d been looking forward to what Naranja could offer for Pokemon studies since her boss had mentioned it as an incentive to have her help get the Paldean branch off the ground.

Hannah wiped at the dust in her eyes, really. “You two look great, though,” she encouraged, “I’m so happy you’re headed into higher education, instead of wandering trainers in Galar trying to get a sponsorship.”

“You journeyed, Mom,” Mei pointed out.

“In Sinnoh, where you can just go to the gyms to train and challenge,” Hannah said, “Instead of that popularity contest with the entry on the Championship Cup – I never liked that. I don’t mind you’ll have other skills to fall back on, either – training’s a wonderful thing and I’m happy to keep at it in case anyone wants a match, but it can be a hungry life full-time. There’s only one Champion, and not that many League or Gym trainers.”

As was her wont, she didn’t mention the battle circuit to try and keep it from their thoughts.

“We were planning to cycle,” Rose said, reflecting, “Since whichever of us is Champion will have less time to train with patrolling the region, so the other would have an edge.” Mei nodded in agreement.

Hannah shook her head in exasperation at the scope of their ambitions. “Well, at least you’ll remember my advice for later when you guys get over your heads. I’ve done my best to prep you for training and out there. Trips to the wild area for camping, first aid, I wish you’d been able to pet-bond with a Pokemon in Galar but hopefully you’ve been listening,” she said.

Now the twins were tearing up and that wasn’t helping her at all keep her composure. And she still had surprises to give.

“Come on, eat, before the Oddish twins steal the pancakes,” Hannah said, sniffling. The Oddish gave a look over from where they’d hopped on top of each other to try and reach into the bag, but glanced at the twins, who shook their heads. Sighing, the two little sprouts went to hop off the table.

That kind of broadband to Pokemon wasn’t something you could teach; whatever genetics had thrown it at them somehow . Still the reminder of their affinity eased their tears, since was still cautious about it for their careers.

“I know it’s easy with the grass types but try and remember the others,” Hannah lectured for something like the five hundredth time, “Natural talent can rule a schoolyard but won’t take you through the gyms, and maybe growing past it will even help with the Ice problem.”

The two shivered a bit, doubting that.

“Now come on and help get this ready, I wish I could have cooked – or you know, not had to have you two finish all the unpacking this week. I’m impressed you got it all,” Hannah said, and held a couple breakfast bags at random for them to unpack. The twins hands brushed hers as they took the handles, and reflexively, she checked them as a trainer instead of a mother.

Hannah dropped the bags to the floor in shock, the two cat Pokemon leaping in to run off with the eggs as the containers popped open.

All three ignored it, the twins staring at Hannah in open-mouthed shock at the sudden drop. Hannah’s mind reeled – they’d been reaching out subconsciously. Not like psychics or the ‘broadband’ the twins usually did that made grass types in the area want to cheerfully rub up to them.

This was like something she’d encountered more than once. Like trainers who’d Pokemon had died, trying to clutch onto a missing bond.

“What happened while I was gone?” she whispered, and staggered back to the table, realizing what she’s spotted on the movements.

“How are you both trainers?” Hannah asked, and the twins looked at her in surprise.

“We’re not?” Rei said, shifting slightly in confusion in front of Rose defensively, who put a hand on her shoulder.

“We bought some Poke balls when the licenses came through, to be ready. But you said wait, so we did!” Rose said hotly.

“And we have!” Mei protested, “We were doing the unpacking all week. I mean, we talked about teams and all but we didn’t even do a practice throw!”

“Where are your Pokemon then?” Hannah continued, not listening.

“<Gone>,” Rose muttered, shifting to Kantonian in stress, then opened her eyes in realization she’d said it out loud. Mei slapped her forehead.

“What?” Hannah said, scrambling to her feet. “Also, practice Paldean,” she added reflexively.

“Over at Naranja?” Rose tried to cover.

“Where we’re headed after breakfast?” Mei continued.

“Oh no, I’m not having one conversation with both of you. Hands in front so you stop signaling each other,” Hannah said, “How do you two have broken trainer bonds?”

Reluctantly the two stepped apart and put their hands forward, palms up. It was a trick of theirs they’d picked up as an idea from TV when their Galarian was still terrible in Hammerlocke. Meeting lots of people and loud places made them tired, anyway, so it helped them save up energy and more time to think about their word choice.

Hannah wasn’t in the mood for them using it to get away with plotting, whatever they’d done.

“We can’t,” Mei said, trying, “I mean, we really have broken bonds?” Mei asked, looking over herself, then at Rose, who did the same in reverse.

“You guys aren’t bad at assessment, but I think in this you’re too close to the source to see it,” Hannah said. “This isn’t easy to pick up even if you do know the person, and you’re moving like trainers, you were more… flailing last week.”

“We uh, practiced moving like Leon?” Rose tried. Hannah shook her head and Rose sighed.

“Wow we didn’t even make it a minute, did we?” Rose asked her sister, who sighed as well.

****

The two explained roughly, of encountering another version of themselves in something that felt like a dream, as they worked at the surviving pancakes and juice.

Hannah had stared at them, but weirdly grew more and more relaxed as their explanation of waking up as not themselves had reached the dragons.

“Meddling,” she said, a trifle darkly when Giratina’s clear resistance got mentioned. “I suppose I shouldn’t be surprised.” They’d gone for her girls. She’d been hoping to set it up to pass under the radar but they’d come in even before they were trainers. The one relief was if they did it now they weren’t looking for their battle talent, hopefully.

“Why?” Mei asked. Hannah shook her head.

“I can’t say, I’m sorry,” their mother said, “Though it is usually for the good of all even if stressful for individuals - why you two? You’re not back from some terrible Paldean future?”

“I think the future, a little, but that world doesn’t exist anymore. I, apparently, from what I got – did a big favor helping this world, and got Mei there too,” Rose said. Mei stopped eating (despite Hannah’s wishes, they were switching off so they could eat) to pat Rose’s hand.

“You weren’t twins?” Hannah gathered.

“I think my memories are from here, or a world that had the same properties as here,” Mei said, “But Rose is a weird case – imagine a world without any fire or fire-types, but having most of the same Pokemon and people. Different things happened but there’s a lot of similarities, just, no fire.”

“I’m not that weird and I wasn’t that weird!” Rose protested, “But yeah – that analogy’s more or less right, but with fairy. And imagine you had a world with fire seeing the non-fire world, and your first thought was how long you could use the place for firewood.”

“That’s what Team Flare did. Gabriel was in it, so I was too,” Mei said, miserable.

“The great dragons were pretty badly hurt because of something,” Rose said, “So whatever Team Flare did, they weren’t able to block them from reaching across to that other world. Maybe because Mei was important, or because Gabriel was involved on this side, myself and some half-sisters – who were just trying to have a vacation, I swear – got involved.”

“Kalos was still a monarchy, or a bunch of counts squabbling on that world. The war never really ended,” Mei said dismissively.

Hannah’s lips were tight, “If you could at all, on anything you know about … him having other children, I’d appreciate it. Just to check.” Rose nodded.

“I can put a list together when we’re in the taxi,” she promised.

“But to try and finish the story first – Team Flare was poking a lot of holes through reality. They had a big weapon they were going to use, powered by Pokemon life,” Rose said, disgusted. Mei hit her head against the table a few times.

“So eventually I realized maybe I was being an idiot; and this me, here and now, would like to stay I’m downright embarrassed how long it took even a different me to realize, and I’m on the record saying she was a total idiot!” Mei ranted. Rose patted her shoulder.

“That’s not you,” Rose said, assured. Mei smiled wanly.

“Anyway, I was a big idiot, but a strong idiot, so I helped Rose and her friends stop the Weapon,” Mei said, “The alternate dimension stuff slowed Team Flare a bit so this happened around now and later instead of last year.”

“When the Weapon was gone, Giratina was able to help stitch stuff up – but time and space were weird. You could walk and accidentally end up a hundred kilometers away, two hours before,” Rose said, eyes distant.

“So the dragons had to start over a bit, and so us happened than either of those timelines. Or we have the examples of the timelines. We’ve been talking a little on the metaphysics and have no idea,” Mei said.

“That sounds rough,” Hannah said, processing. The two nodded.

“You are weirdly good about this. You ranted for fifteen minutes when I wanted to put streaks in my hair,” Rose observed.

“I’m pretty sure we’re in a trance state,” Mei said, and held up a hand to examine her nails briefly before focusing back on her mother. “That doesn’t explain you.”

“I’ve seen meddling, by Pokemon, or trainers assisting,” Hannah’s voice was distant, “A couple of times, a while ago. The alternative is much worse though. No one is threatening either of you?” The two shook their heads. “And you absolutely didn’t catch anything last night?” The two shook their heads again.

“Then thank you, I guess, for preserving the world,” Hannah said next, followed by, “And no, you still can’t dye your hair. I probably shouldn’t ask, but didn’t the Kalos Champion do anything?”

“I, ah, beat the Champion three years ago,” Mei said, miserable, “Hurray for Team Flare science – I don’t know everything they’d put into me but I spent years being prepped based on what they knew about Diantha’s team.”

“So you were Kalos League Champion at fifteen?” Hannah said, “Congratulations!” Hannah slapped her hands across her mouth realizing what she said.

“Not. Helping.” Mei said, gritting her teeth.

“Sorry, sorry,” Hannah said, “I know there’s a lot of young Champions recently so thrilled by proxy.”

Rose stirred her orange juice with a straw, and said, idly, “Would you like to know, mother of mine, what Diantha was like when Marguerite found her in a Team Flare cell? Thanks to Flare having the glory of a Champion?” Her eyes were glinting, and Hannah found herself drawing back a little. Mei looked down, not meeting anyone’s gaze.

“I’m sorry,” Hannah said, more soberly.

“I didn’t think you did,” Rose said cooly.

Mei laid a hand across Rose’s in thanks. “You know she was the scary one of us there too?” Mei said, trying to change the subject.

“Don’t call your sister scary,” Hannah chided on autopilot, then, “Why?”

The twins glanced at each other and Hannah finally realized they’d slipped back to signaling each other. Rose apparently got the go-ahead.

“Like I said, Giratina stitched stuff together, but Giratina needed a trainer to be able to call enough power and keep it focused. Apparently the dragons really are Pokemon and have some of the same rules,” Rose said.

“Without a Poke ball, even, Mom,” Mei said, impressed by proxy.

“For maybe three minutes, total,” Rose said, “I’d rather not again. Or then, either, but there weren’t any dragon trainers available.”

“You’re still wearing your trio necklaces, both of you,” Hannah said. “Meeting them as… just Pokemon didn’t change that this morning for you?” Rose’s hand went up to it briefly – the two had started wearing when Mei had gotten into myths a few years back, but her hand went away without removing it and she nodded.

“Not just,” Mei said, in something like awe.

“Huh,” Hannah said. And she looked at her babies in surprise, both of who seemed to be stewing a bit. Hannah bit back a curse.

“So you two were definitely trainers. And know more or less those Pokemon and have some of their memories,” Hannah summarized.

“More than we’d like,” the two said together calmly. They were definitely signalling each other again.

“And now you don’t have Pokemon. That can’t be helping the strain,” Hanah said. “I’m an idiot.”

“What?” Mei asked.

“You were trainers, and you had the bonds disconnected, or feel like the bonds were disconnected even when they weren’t there. I’ve lost Pokemon before, and it’s never easy – but my motto’s always been keep moving. I was going to save these a bit later,” Hannah explained, then pulled the bag from behind her chair she’d been holding back.

Upending it, six Poke balls rolled out, clinking across the table. Mei started to reach but stopped herself. Rose’s eyes were sparkling

“We’re getting Pokemon later?” Mei managed, “Isn’t this risky?”

“The Academy doesn’t mind if you have a starter of your own. And two’s usually not a problem for anyone. The restriction was as long as it is a Pokemon native to Paldea – no Budew, sorry,” Hannah apologized, “I’d probably want to keep an eye on you for a day or so, but I trust the Academy to do so. And you two have pretty good endurance from all the work you put in.”

“Where did you get them?” Rose asked.

“Mainly sneaking around catching after work, and a few in the morning before the conference. You know the saying, catching is easy but raising is hard,” Hannah said. The two knew enough now that it wasn’t quite that simple, but they were wise enough to nod along.

“Doing the training so they’d respond to you as their first trainer is a little tricky, but I never raised them at all so they were pretty accepting of the opportunity,” Hannah explained.

“Where do the others go then?” Rose continued, worried.

“Extra assistance at the Grow Sures lab; we need some extra Pokemon to help keep an eye on everything, and there’s some researchers who wanted to pick up more partners without taking time off to find them,” Hannah assured, “All these will get people like they wanted, don’t worry.” The twins nodded again, not taking their eyes off the balls.

Hannah held up a forestalling hand. “Before we go outside to decide this, I want to warn you from experience. I can’t say from where or when, but don’t casually tell people you’ve timeslipped or seen visions. The League would be interested enough it could affect your careers, they would want to investigate for general safety. And given what Mei hinted Team Flare did to her, I don’t need to tell you there are worse people who may be interested,” she warned.

“And I’m going to give you the advice I was originally planning to too. You two were apparently goodbut right now my girls in front of me are spiritually utter neophytes. I know my style is push on through but trying to dig deeper than you can actually provide can cause all sorts of damage. Listen to your body if it starts giving warning signs,” Hannah said. The two nodded.

Hannah smiled, “I’m sure the Academy will have wonderful Pokemon, but I’d much rather take parental prerogative and give you both your first.”

The group headed outside, Hannah carrying the Poke balls. Zappy tweeted a hello and hoped closer, as the Oddish followed them outside to keep an eye on their favored humans and dig into the soil for a bit.

“I’m sure you two would like to come along,” Rose said wistfully, “But no Oddish in Paldea.” The two Weed Pokemon chittered encouragingly.

“No Budew either,” Hannah repeated, “I know we’re a long way from Solaceon, but I wish I could carry on the town tradition, especially with your two’s affinity.”

“You did, once,” Rose offered, sounding wistful.

“Oh, did you name her?” Hannah asked, closing the front gate in case the Pokemon got startled.

“Yeah, she was Blossom and she was really sweet – I’m not sure I want a Budew right now; it wasn’t long before – before I set out when I got her, and she was my lead last I remember from there,” Rose said, correcting herself slightly.

“I’m not sure what team I’m looking for,” Mei said, thinking on it, “I’d like to go full six, of course – I hope I can.”

“I feel fairly confident I found something you each would like,” Hannah said, “But you’ve got a lot of learning, if you need to bench them from your active team, I’ll understand. I did a fair amount of swapping when I was looking at the gyms, and more when I was trying the battle circuit.” Hannah as usual when she mentioned it, made a face.

“I’m glad paretners aren’t too offended if you have to switch around for work or something,” Rose said.

“I saw a demo on some of the storage system upgrades in Marinada -they really try and make the electronic system as wonderful a paradise as they can, and keep improving it. Before it got fully developed, Pokemon needed full-size pastures to regain their strength in, but everything every trainer’s gotten since the switch over from analog is they find it a relaxing vacation,” Hannah said, as she latched her gate.

Hannah turned around and brushed her hands. “Okay, you got your Rotom phones, right?” she asked. On cue, the two flew out from the twins’ pockets and buzzed.

“Those still weird me out a little, but they do get great signal,” Hannah remarked.

“I think they’re cute,” Mei said, defending the possessed electronic’s honr.

“I did manage to get a couple transfer cards at the Pokemon Center, so you guys will have full legal responsibility and authority… which probably sounds less daunting after everything else this morning,” Hannah admitted.

“So let’s charge for it and go!” Hannah smiled and threw the Poke balls in the air as she released them. Six shapes emerged in energy and pops of displaced air. A Phanpy, Magnemite, Skiddo, Bounsweet, Petilil and Deerling all vocalized greetings as they looked around the yard curiously.

The girls squealed briefly in delight. Hannah held up a hand. “Remember, just one, this is still a lot different than practicing it, and you’re going to have to work up your actual trainer abilities too, whatever bonus you got,” she lectured. The girls nodded, and checked themselves from headlong rushing.

Mei winced a little at the Skiddo – too many Lumiose memories to feel comfortable right now, though she looked like a lovely Pokemon. All the Pokemon were looking politely back, Hannah was keeping them mostly still. After ‘remembering’ being a trainer for a while, it seemed weird to approach a potential partner without it being with the whole proving oneself in a match and making a connection.

She did try reaching out a bit if anyone said hello instantly. The second she did, she found herself second-guessing and pulling back. It felt off somehow from what those memories had, even if those had been terrible it had been familar.

That life had been ice, no a foundation of dead trees. She often had – maybe desperately – visualized it as ice flowers and elegance, but still a cage keeping her and her Pokemon trapped. Even after switching teams it’s still been frost-bitten and a tether, working together for vengeance than real partners, for most of them.

She hoped that Venusaur still had his trainer here, though.

She could feel – passively, the low level of energy from the young Pokemon in front of her, which was working about the same as yesterday, but she’d never dared try this before.

She could vaguely feel her mother’s reserve of strength behind her still as well. Mei wasn’t quite sure how she was supposed to go about this to connect up. Her mother liked to charge in, for Pokemon at least. She usually described it as waves or energy beaming to the Pokemon, but that wasn’t how the Pokemon had ever reacted to her, either.

She smiled at the Pokemon – they all seemed nice, and fretted a bit internally.

Rose had gotten out her Pokedex app, and was looking over the data. “Hey Mom, it says Petilil needs a Sun Stone to evolve, those aren’t easy to come across,” Rose said.

“I promise if you get a few badges or otherwise convince me I’ll get one – it’s a lot easier on my budget than a trainer’s,” Hannah said. “If she’s what you want.”

The little Petilil realized it was the subject of discussion and did its best to twirl dramatically, which mainly came off as flouncing about in a circle.

Rose smiled back at it and clapped appreciatively, leading the little Bulb Pokemon to nearly somersault when going into a bow.

Mei looked back and forth between them. “If you have a choice already, you can go ahead,” she offered.

Rose shook her head firmly no. “You are having a much worse day than I am,” Rose declared, “Choose your Pokemon.”

Mei sighed, she appreciated the gesture but wondered how her sister had gotten an inclination so quickly. Mei clenched her fists a few times – thinking back more to how she felt yesterday; or in the memories that had been forced in, when she was very young. She absolutely would not be that, and that frosted knight had no place getting in the way of her journey.

Mei started as Rose gently grabbed her arm. “I’m here with you,” she said softly, “You can reach out here and now, not her.”

“How are you holding it off?” Mei asked.

“Trying to let the wind take me, mainly,” Rose admitted, “She was… solid, but it helps the energy here is so not what she trained in so she doesn’t know what to do. Then I just followed it back towards who was asking for something like me the most. All I’m getting is a tugging, though. I may be wrong. It’s really different from her.”

“It is for me too,” Mei murmured. “They looked like us, I guess, but, anyway.”

“Don’t you start fretting about them,” Mei said louder, and closed her eyes. Her sister was a thready little thing next to her, but there anyway. It was like a field, but a mainly bare one, starting to sprout if she was going to put a metaphor to it.

Sprouting might work she thought to herself, and tried to focus internally instead. She was underdeveloped compared to what she once had been, but it wasn’t a dead foundation kept moving on inertia. This was her garden to grow. Without a Pokemon partner at all, there wasn’t much there or that she could do. She concentrated on the little green bud inside herself, and moved physically in the direction her soul wanted to grow in.

After a bit, something made her stop and open her eyes. Rose smiled at her from her side, and Mei gulped as she looked down, hoping she wasn’t about to make her sister miserable.

To her relief it was the Bounsweet there, not the Petilil. It bounced up and down, and tried to run around in a circle excitedly, cheeping to itself, but weaving back and forth in its excitement. Their eyes met and Mei’s mood improved instantly as she could feel its tentative greeting.

“Oh aren’t you the sweetest thing!” Mei said. The Bounsweet, stopped shivering. “No, no, not like that, I want a partner, not a sweetener,” Mei said hastily. The little Pokemon sighed in relief.

Mei picked her up, and the Bounsweet despite herself stiffened. After all, as much as it was leaning towards Mei, she did have a partner still, and this was a very forward act.

Hannah hastily looked through the Poke balls in her hands. “Wait! Let me get out of the way first!” she said. Mei glanced over, briefly, then back, but carefully shifted the little one to one palm so she could hold her other hand out. The little grass type looked frustrated; Mei could feel her bumping against Hannah’s temporary connection while trying to reach out.

“Here!” Hannnah said, and smacked the Poke ball into Mei’s waiting palm as she let go her own connection.

Mei felt things suddenly set into place, like a set of nerves she hadn’t known she had all firing up and down her body. The Poke ball was truly a technical marvel for trainers, and she and the little one could feel themselves meet there. It was a rush, but there were a few tips from the other world that applied, and she held herself open so she could meet her new partner fully.

It didn’t take long; it never technically did, but this was Mei’s first no matter what other memories said. She could feel the surge of passion as the little Bounsweet took root in her heart. The little Pokemon squealed in delight as Mei hugged her.

“Oh I’m going to make you wonderful – I’m naming you Terpsi! You’ll be Queen of Galar!” Mei declared.

Hannah looked confused. “Mei’s been locking onto the Muses for theme naming all week,” Rose explained.

“The muse of dance! Terpsichore but that’s a lot to say!” Mei said, holding Terpsi out for them to look at. Unprompted, the little Pokemon tried to jig on her palms, Mei smoothly moving her hands to keep a stage for a moment. Terpsi bowed, and Mei transitioned back into a hug.

The two others looked on, smiling, for several seconds until Rose coughed discretely, pointing down to where the Petilil was tugging at her tights. “You’ve said before not to handle other people’s Pokemon,” Rose said.

“So I did – you ready to catch it? They’re pretty eager but if the human connection cuts completely, she’ll feel the need to prove herself again,” Hannah warned.

“Oh she’s just being polite and waiting,” Rose said, bending down to look at the little bulb, who twirled with excitement, but her hand was stretched out for the Poke ball. Hannah put it more gently into her daughter’s hand than the Mei handover.

Rose could feel her mother’s presence – not active but undeniably there, retreat. No one other than a trainer could get their Pokemon into their Poke ball. The little Petilil cheeped in excitement letting itself bud out along the connection. Rose followed it, feeling a dozen delicate tendrils link up. It felt delicate, but something felt like trying to pull from herself and ram it home wasn’t the approach here – though she admitted it had worked for the other. After a moment, it felt stable, maybe each strand a delicate string, but many of them.

“Is it okay?” she asked the little one, “This isn’t quite how I did th-“ Rose was cut off as the little grass Pokemon jumped up into her face to envelop her in a hug. After a moment’s surprise, Rose clasped her, but pulled her down to her chest so she could breathe, where the little Pokemon started snuggling.

She could feel her pulse pound in her temple, and the rhythmic beat of the the Petilil’s own heart. The Pokemon settled in – understanding of her flooded in.

Both new Pokemon were eager to go. They were to be, at least a while, these two new trainers stars, and always be their very best together. Rose had a wild brief urge to have Azucena jump at Terpsi and Mei, but even if the power wasn’t working right, she had eight bonus years of experiencing a connection to Pokemon and brought that back under control.

“Okay, think I got that then,” Rose said breathlessly.

“Interesting – I couldn’t make it work like that, is that how I taught you in the other world?” Hannah asked.

“No, I could do some fancy stuff on the attack side but it was pretty much a push,” Rose admitted.

“You okay, Azucena?” she asked her Pokemon. Picking up its name instantly, Azucena cheeped, leading to more snuggling.

“Just that basic on the power side?” Hannah said, sounding disappointed, “What was I teaching you in the other world?”

Rose muttered something Hannah didn’t catch.

“Sorry?”

“<Barely anything!>” Rose exploded in Kantonian. Hannah backed away.

“You weren’t well, I was usually with Uncle Olive cause the herd took almost all your energy and I wasn’t strong enough to help with steers. Your breathing was always a mess then right before my journey you went out and got really sick and then you died,” Rose babbled. Whatever was in the way to help her process this, was helping, but she still wiped away tears from trauma not hers, but still something out of her nightmares.

“We moved to Kalos and you got sick there – you said once they thought it was something in the soil. I was only four or so,” Mei said, sniffling as well.

“I refuse to take responsibility for actions in another place and history,” Hannah said, uncomfortable.

“Then why did Mei and I have to?” Rose asked, miserable. Mei nodded in agreement, and Azucena chirped angry support in Rose’s hands.

“You’re right,” Hannah apologized after several stunned seconds.

“I don’t know what next - so let’s go in, though this should be a good day and I don’t want to make it worse,” Hannah continued, gesturing at the door. “You’ve Pokemon now – and you got an extra heaping of maturity on top. I should talk to you as adults anyway, even if you are my girls. Always.”

Mei and Rose exchanged some communication and started in. Hannah side-eyed the Petilil still in Roses arm’s as she passed.

“You turned coat quickly,” Hannah noted, a bit miffed. The little Pokemon stuck her tongue out.

Hannah poured the rest of the tea and started another pot, and warned, “You two are packed, right? Naranja wanted you to meet your homeroom teacher so we’ve got to get you on the Taxi when it comes regardless.”

“Yeah there’s a couple things to throw on top, but we got almost everything stored last night,” Mei reported.

“Technology is wonderful: the digital storage bags weren’t to Sinnoh yet when I went on my journey,” Hannah reminisced, “You can carry a whole pharmacy while we had to actually heft all that weight.”

Mei was tickling Terpsi so Rose replied, “So you told us, but at least you had the most important part in synthetic Poke balls and the storage system.”

“I’m not that old that those were newfangled,” Hannah said with a grin. “I think my father had his first couple in the old-style balls and he always swore against nostalgia – the modern ones are much easier to aim to finish the connection – you two have both used Ultra Balls though?” The two nodded.

“So you know a little about that with the more sensitive ones,” Hannah said with wonder. “I wish I’d just gotten you Pokemon when we moved here and didn’t have to worry about the Galar trainer restriction, if the dragons were looking to do it before the start of you partnering.”

“That was only three weeks ago, and the house was a total mess when we moved in,” Mei said, looking up. “It’s not like we could have seen this coming.”

Hannah shifted, “That and I wanted to make sure to get the last time with you two instead of you two focused on new partners,” she admitted. “Even if you’re here on the breaks the next few years; this isn’t really going to be your garden bed any more, my two little aroma girls,” Hannah said sadly. “It’s just how it goes.”

“You couldn’t see this coming,” Rose said, sipping tea. The frustration had drained away some after bursting out, and she felt calmer. “I’m sorry for yelling,” she said, “Maybe a burst of new trainer feedback too.”

“Did you two do well your first time? I’ve seen kids jump right past pets to battle bonds before plenty. Most don’t handle that aggression surge from getting a Pokemon’s temperament so well,” Hannah said.

Terpsi made some protesting noises and tried to stick her nose up. “Look, it’s a universal truth Pokemon like to compete, in some way or another even if not directly in matches,” Hannah said, “Trainers are more confrontational than they would be if not fully linked, it’s just how our biology interacts.” The Bounsweet grumbled a bit but didn’t push it.

“I think they had someone ready for me as the trainee Knight,” Mei said, “So I did that because I was told – I don’t remember being angry or scared. Now, I do want to battle Rose later, but-“

“We’re short on time,” Rose picked up, the two doing a quick pinky swear.

“As for me,” Rose continued, “I’d had Blossom for a bit before I pushed through then. It was more of a ramp up as we fully found each other than just getting all those competition brain cells on at once.”

“I am not going to get used to that you two technically have twice as much professional trainer experience than I do,” Hannah said. The twins opened their mouths to protest. “I’m counting the battle circuit and the gym journey – raising Pokemon for eating is an entirely different relationship than battle partners or pets.”

Rose set her tea down as she finished draining it. “I don’t think it’s a good idea for me to try and rebuild that team though – everything’s been different. Those were her friends, I want to have mine, wherever they are out there,” she remarked.

“I don’t want to match on mine,” Mei said, “She knew she had a grass affinity but didn’t really have a chance to build her own preference or battle style at all – I’ve got a bunch of stuff that’s great if I wanted to have me and Pokemon be miserable together, and general battle tips. She never really did training in the wild either, so everything there comes from you, Mom.” Hannah smiled at that.

Hannah said absently, “I did figure if you’d come back it’d be this timeline; some disaster or the other for Paldea – I’d not considered.”

Hannah stopped dead as the twins stared, hanging on her words. Even their Pokemon and the house Pokemon, were still. “Well who could consider this?” she finished lamely.

“Percentage wise,” Mei said cautiously, “Exactly how much of your training journey have you ever actually told us about?”

“More than half,” Hannah said quickly, “I saw that question coming, you can do better.”

“We’re on the other side of the world, and you were there in that Mei’s old life,” Rose said, tipping her cup over so Azucena could explore.

“Yeah, though Galar’s climate isn’t too far off from the continent. It’s nicer here but fewer jobs until the last couple years. I can tell you from capturing these guys there are a lot of Pokemon in Paldea that are looking for trainers. Like you have to wonder if this area has enough trainers given all the Pokemon,” Hannah said, “So all I taught should hold, especially for travelling.”

“Thank you. And the new job sounds like it’s good, so who has your old job as warden at Solaceon Ruins?” Rose asked casually.

“Oh I handed that to,” Hannah’s jaw clicked shut, as Rose gave a small smile, still playing with the cup. Mei clapped. Hannah folded her arms across her chest, irritated with herself for following along almost too far.

“Oh come on, Mom,” Mei said, “You weren’t nearly as sick as the memories we got, but you headed off at the same time here Rose remembered in that timeline; so whatever happened wasn’t as bad for you cause having us was easier than in Sinnoh eight years earlier.”

Rose said, “And Mei knew when you weren’t there in that life, things were worse for Sinnoh. I don’t remember seeing where you left the house here, or much of that day at all. That Rose remembers you heading east, and there’s only one thing there unless you want to spend several days walking to Veilstone.”

“Girls, there are some oaths involved I deeply respect to people I admire, I really can’t talk about that. It’s not to hurt you at all or make this more complicated, but a lot of it is bigger than us and pretty volatile,” Hannah said.

“I’m fairly certain none of what that is directly connects to this, but it has some similarities,” Hannah said. “I don’t think any of that led to you guys getting this lovely ‘gift’; especially from what you summarized on your old lives. Trainer talent runs through the family; and apparently Gabriel’s, so I got into stuff younger because your Mom was a good trainer back in the day. Those old existences of you two, you’ve both made it clear you had ace trainer qualifications people were taking advantage of to deal with the situation.” Hannah shrugged.

“I wouldn’t say Iris was taking advantage when we ended up in Johto at the right time,” Rose began.

“No, but you had the Ranger experience to spot something’s wrong, and did the high-end trainer thing on getting involved because it was the right thing to do for human and Pokemon. I’m proud of that, and Mei that you managed to knock free enough to recognize it – neither of those are the easy way, but you did a lot of good,” Hannah said, and started sniffling again.

“And there I go again – you two look all grown up with Pokemon and the uniforms,” Hannah said. “I’m really going to miss you!”

“I’ll miss you too,” Mei said, also sniffling a bit, “My old life I’d never dreamed of getting to go to a school like this. I could barely read. I was looking forward to everything and getting battle training, but I’ve seen the alternative, and I really promise to use this wisely.”

“I could read, but I’d never imagined being with so many people, or getting so many chances to have so many teachers,” Rose said happily, though her eyes were watering a bit too. “There’s going to be so much there.”

“Okay, come here, I can’t stand it,” Hannah directed, holding her arms open. Putting their Pokemon down carefully, the three rushed in for a hug and let the tears flow.