Family comes First
Alain was smiling and laughing, after two years of fear, depression and anxiety, he was finally happy. Augustine was relieved, he was starting to worry his adopted son would never recover after what happened. Even Mairin had picked up on her cousin's happy mood and was acting more like a five year old should. As a regional Professor, he had a lot of responsibilities to attend to and it made him feel like he was neglecting his children.
Augustine thought to himself as he worked, 'Disrupting therapy may or may not make it worse, the book said. However I'm glad I took this gamble.'
He looked outside where his kids were helping the Oak and Ketchum kids take care of the Pokemon. Mairin had found other girls to be friends with and Alain had also found others his age to befriend. He smiled watching them laugh and play with the Pokemon in the ranch. Alain's Charmander and Beldum seemed to have been taken in by the idea of becoming the strongest Charmander and Beldum in the world and had taken to wearing an Everstone as a collar around their neck. They would train with the other Pokemon who had Everstone as well as Red's Charmeleon. It was very fascinating learning about the difference in interest that they had, he had expected Charmeleon to be interested in raising his strength but instead the fire lizard was interested in becoming the fastest Charizard in the world and actually had weights that he used to train with. According to Samuel's Alakazam, Charmeleon's goal was to be able to carry weights and his trainer around the world and become the fastest flying/fire type Pokemon.
Samuel, "Pokepenny for your thoughts!"
Augustine, "Ah! Oh, I was just thinking how different the goals of Pokemon are despite belonging to the same type and evolution line."
Samuel nodded understanding, "Yes, it is quite fascinating isn't it? You know when Red first got Charmander, I thought the little Charmander would also be interested in increasing his strength like Ash's one but no instead the little guy is interested in speed. Do you know what he told Alakazam when I asked why?"
Augustine looked curious, "He actually had a goal from the start, didn't he?"
Sam nodded, "He said, 'attacks are not effective if you can't hit your target and if you are fast enough to avoid the attack, then speed can become your greatest defense.'...... I was pretty surprised too."
Augustine gaped before closing his mouth, "Smart little guy, but speed isn't everything."
Sam shook his head, "No it is not. So he takes endurance and perseverance training seriously and hopes to evolve soon that way he can learn to fly fast and run fast as well."
Augustine hummed, "I see, I need to return to Kalos soon. The new trainer hopefuls will be determined by the end of this month. But.. "
Sam followed the man's line of sight, "But you are reluctant to leave them."
Augustine gave a sheepish laugh, "I have not seen them so happy for so long. Call me selfish but I don't want to take this away from them."
Sam shook his head, "You are not being selfish, you are being a good father. You are allowed to put your kids happiness before you. Like my Charizard always like to say, 'Pack comes First' or 'Family Comes First'. I am inclined to agree with him."
Augustine was deep in thought, "Sam, would it be pushing it if I asked you to take them in as apprentices?"
Sam looked at his colleague, "What do you have in mind?"
Augustine rubbed his nape, "Welllll, back in Kalos, I think they get reminded of their loss way too much. I was hoping they could stay here and study under your guidance instead. I don't want to sound like I'm throwing this on your plate, so you can deny this request."
Sam raised his hand, "I honestly cannot take them as my apprentice as I already have two who are active apprentices and two inactive."
Augustine got disheartened, "I see, well I had to ask though."
Sam continued, "However, there is one way. My daughter in law is an expert in dealing with children haunted by trauma. Even my son's Gengar has experience in it, though since he is a Pokemon, he unfortunately can't get a license."
Augustine chuckled, "Bet he was annoyed."
Gengar popped in from the ceiling, -I was alright. I didn't study human language just for fun and giggles. I wanted to help my trainer and my trainers cubs.-
Augustine gaped, "You talk? Ha.. How did you?"
Gengar, -Ten years of practice and making sure my trainer did not fall to darkness.-
Sam smiled, "And I'm forever thankful for that."
Augustine nodded understanding, it wasn't a secret that the former Champion Blue had fought a war with Team Rocket. The casualties were high both Pokemon and humans, and now there were whispers about a similar organization rising back in Kalos. That was the second reason he did not want to take Alain and Mairin back with him. He rather hide them away from the questionable organization as long as he could, though he knew and understood it won't be possible.
Gengar, -Do you know your children are marked by two legendaries?-
Augustine looked confused, "What do you mean?"
Sam, "Which legendaries?"
Gengar, -Ah..... You don't know.-
Gengar pointed at Alain and Mairin, -The boy is marked by Xerneas, while the girl by Yvetal, just like Red and Green are marked by the three mischievous Mew. No, I do not know what this means for their future. All I can tell you is you cannot keep them away from whatever will happen in the future.-
Augustine's shoulders fell, "I see, but it will not happen anytime soon, right? So, till then I will do my utmost to keep them safe."
Gengar looked at his trainer's father, -I will not pretend to understand how the rules in human society work, but I'll tell you this. By pushing for trainers to be older to start their journey, you have brought them time.-
Sam blinked, "Truly? Well that's good to know."
Gengar shook his head, -Just a few years mind you, but yes.-
Augustine got up determined, "Well, it is better than nothing. And I didn't know or realize that the legendaries themselves had gotten involved with them. I'm not sure what to do about that."
Augustine frowned as he looked outside, "You said the three Mew marked your kids. What does that mean exactly?"
Gengar answered bluntly, -If there is a war, they will be leading the army.-
Augustine spluttered, "Wha.. WHAT? What in Arceus name do you mean by that?"
Gengar looked outside, -I have spoken too much. This is all I can tell you.-
Sam sighed, "Welcome to the club I guess."
Augustine looked at him dumbfounded, "How can you be calm about this?"
Sam looked tired and old, "I'm anything but calm. A lot of times I just want to walk up to the Legendaries and scream at them to leave my kids alone. But unfortunately it is not possible, so I do what I can, when I can."
There was a knock on the door before it opened and one of the Professor's aides came in, "Is everything okay Professor?"
Sam smiled, "Everything is fine, we just learned something that unnerved us is all."
The aide nodded, "I see. Call if you need anything."
Augustine looked at the closed door, "Sorry for panicking."
Sam waved it off, "Understandable, considering who it revolves around in the first place. What will you do now?"
Augustine smiled, "Like your Charizard said, 'Family Comes First', I guess, I do what I can for them."
Outside at the ranch Alain was following Red and Green's advice as they showed him the different techniques they used. Red used aura while Green used psychic energy, Alain was fascinating by both and observed them as they guided and trained their Pokemon in their own unique way. Alain was hooked the moment the older boys had shown their abilities a week ago and was in full research mode, he had a lot of questions about the abilities. The main being why did the four of them develop different abilities, Ash and Gary had abilities that were more flexible and yet different from each other. Mairin on the other hand had gotten close to the girls in the group and was acting more and more like an excited child.
Mairin sat still as Misty brushed her hair, "How much longer Misty?"
Chloe, "Patient Mairin."
Mairin pouted, "I have been sitting like this for two hours now."
Misty tied the ribbon in a bow, "Done! What do you think?"
Mairin took the mirror from Chloe, "I love it. Thanks Misty!"
Misty giggled, "No problem! Hey how about we style Ash's hair too?"
Chloe brightened, "I'll get him and Gou as well, they have been spending a lot of time together now that I think about it."
Misty blushed a little pink, "Do you think?"
Mairin, "Gou confessed to Ash?"
Chloe, "I don't know, maybe that's why they are spending time together more now, but wouldn't Gary be upset? I mean... "
Misty hummed, "I don't think Gary would be upset, protective maybe, I don't know. Or maybe Gou didn't even say anything but Ash knew Gou wanted to spend time with him. He has always been more aware of others."
Chloe nodded looking outside the window of Mairin and Alain's room at the Oak lab, "Yeah, he really is, isn't he? I'll go get them, I can see them with Alain actually."
Misty deflated, "With Alain? I wonder, Hmmm!"
Mairin giggled, "You are romantic, aren't you, Misty?"
Misty blushed looking away, "A little maybe. And I just noticed comfortable Alain is around Red and Ash, you know?"
Chloe went downstairs towards the field Alain and the others were, "Hey, Ash, Gou, come with me for a sec."
Alain smiled, "Go ahead. This was awesome."
Ash grinned, "Okay Alain."
Gou, "Coming Chloe ~ Are Gary and Ritchie coming?"
Chloe shook her head, "Nope, we just want to style your hair. Gary throws a fit if anyone outside of Ash touched his hair."
Ash defended his best friend, "What? No he doesn't.... He just has a specific style."
Gou smirked, "Sure, he does."
Alain shook his head as he went to search for Gary and ask him to demonstrate his abilities. He knew Gary had gotten closer to Ritchie the same way Ash had to Gou but at the end of the day the two gifted boys always drifted back to each other. He could admit he was a bit jealous of them, if they had been older, he wonders if maybe he could have gotten just as close to them as well.
Mew who had stayed behind bopped his head, -You are part of the family silly! Do not think so otherwise!-
Alain blushed and looked down, that had been another thing, Mew claiming him and Mairin as part of it's pack or brood. He was not sure of the term, but it always made him feel warm whenever he thought about them as family. He had been shocked when the three Mew appeared before them last week during dinner. He snorted remembering how his Dad, he still felt a little weird calling Professor Sycamore, Dad, choked on water at the sudden appearance. He had proceeded to ask Professor Oak all sort of questions. It was very interesting to have a legendary join dinner but no one seemed surprised by it.
He noticed Gary waving to him and motioning him to sit beside them up ahead by the stream that flows through the Oak ranch. It always fascinated him how large the lab area was, it covered a large area of land consisting of a stream plus the forest area around Pallet town that has been made a no capturing zone. As he sat he dreamed about having his own lab and a large area filled with life and Pokemon. He smiled as Ritchie welcomed him and passed a fishing rod. He grinned as he joined the two by the stream wondering if he should catch a third Pokemon now. He only had two so far, Charmander who was off following Professor Oak's Charizard around and Beldum who made herself comfortable on his lap the moment he sat down.