“I’m awake!” I yelped as Arcany stepped up onto my bed. The very act an alarm clock, as I didn’t want to have to wash the slobber off my face.

I rubbed my eyes and felt the bed shaking from his tail wagging as I sat up. “Good morning Arcany.” I told him and earned myself a wet nose pressing into my cheek earning him a giggle and a few ineffectual swats, as he nuzzled me a bit.

“Go on you old dog, leave Vicky alone, she’s up.” Papa said from the doorway and Arcany’s tail only wagged harder as he stepped off the bed and pushed up against Papa to get some pets from him.

I watched for a bit as I stretched and got ready as Papa scritched and petted Arcanys face until his tail was practically a weapon.

“Morning Papa.” I greeted as I stepped off the bed and yawned a bit. Pillow I noticed was still laying on his back spread eagled and showing no signs of waking up.

It’s funny how well he adapted to being an indoor Pokemon.

“Morning Trouble.” Papa greeted back. I shuffled over to join Arcany in hugs and attention. In the end I groaned around my giggles as Arcany simply couldn’t hold himself back and started licking, and when a bear of a dog decides he wants to lick there isn’t a force in creation that can stop him.

—--

“You’re leaving?” Mama asked her voice a little off, and I frowned as I met her eyes.

“I just want to visit everyone else. Like Mimikyu. I… Well I was going to start up some more training for the little ones, and probably get my team working on what they’ve learned… But I can come home after?”

Mama nodded and placed the plate of food in front of me, but pulled me into a hug. “You’ve been gone so much… Besides, I want to do some clothes shopping as well. You are about to stand in front of everyone in Kanto.” She told me, her hug never loosening.

“What’s wrong with my clothes?” I asked, I was just in my pajamas right now, but my Jeans were fine! They only had a few small rips and tears! And my shirt was still comfy! I mean it even still fit! I’m sure that growth spurt would be coming any day now though!

“New clothes.” She said instead of anything else and considering she had me in a hug I couldn’t exactly refuse.

“Okay… Well I still need to check up on everyone.” I said, and Mama squeezed me a bit before letting go.

“I know, You’ve always been responsible with your pokemon. I was planning on going to Celadon. So how about you meet me there?”

“Oh! That I can do.” I said and Mama nodded.

“Good. We’ll have you looking cute for your first Conference.”

“Blegh. I’d rather look cool!” I argued, cute was for like little girls! At least say Pretty!

But Mama ignored me and I just finished my breakfast. I guess today was going to be busy.

—--

I rode Arcanine to Fuchsia city after breakfast.

A short race across Kanto and I was there.

“I’m back!” I yelled as Arcanine landed in the backyard of the Clan compound.

The noise was instantaneous and I laughed in delight as I opened my arms as so many of my friends charged over.

Dratini hit me first and I spun my little noodle around over and over. Listening to his delighted giggles was all that I needed.

I placed a kiss on his head and released Dragonite and Milotic so his parents could snuggle him.

Then I released everyone else. Lucario instantly looked up, then running off heading straight towards Riolu I had no doubt.

The Goomy that were out and about, greeted me happily, and I saw Jangmo-o rush over to start yipping a greeting as he stopped in front of me.

“I’m back.” I told him and he nodded and struck a pose. “Oh! Very nice! You look stronger!” I told him and he melted in delight at my words before rushing off doing his little barking noise happily.

“KukKkuukkukuuk!” A voice screamed out and I just had enough time to stand up and hold my arms as Mimikyu tackled my chest, knocking me onto my butt as dark limbs wrapped around me over and over until I was sure I looked like a mummy.

He was back in his Pikachu disguise? No, I realized as it shifted, it wasn’t creaking anymore, so this was a ‘fixed’ disguise.

But that was a secondary matter to giving my boy the strongest hug I could.

“I missed you too!” I told him and he only hugged me all the harder.

“Oh is that Vicky?” Grandpa Roy called out as he stepped out onto the patio and smiled when he saw me. “So it is.”

“Hi Grandpa Roy! I’m back!”

“Welcome back.” He called and stepped out onto the grass and walked over. “Everyone has been behaving themselves, your Mimikyu was working on something in your closet nearly the whole time, but Elizabeth made sure he ate.”

“What? Mimi? Were you forgetting to eat? You silly bean!” I told him as I hugged him tighter. “How can I hug you lots and lots if you are skinny and hungry? You have to take care of yourself, even if I’m not right there.” I whispered to him and he sort of scrunched up in his disguise, but I just squeezed him tightly for a moment.

“Heh. So no new pokemon this time?” He asked, and I shook my head.

“Nope! I didn’t travel to Kitakami again. I went to Johto.” I said, suddenly realizing that while I had gone I hadn’t really told anyone besides my parents what I was doing.

“Oh? Johto?”

“Yeah.. Here, I’ll show you… Ah. Mimi? Can you reach into my bag? Nope, other pocket. That’s the one.” I told him, my arms were pinned by Mimikyu so I couldn’t even reach for my Badge Case. A minute of talking Mimikyu through the right spot, he pulled out my Badge Case.

“See for yourself!” I told Grandpa Roy with a smirk, and he looked curious as he opened it. I was already sitting thankfully so I could kick out my legs and the case landed on my Jeans and not the ground, as Grandpa Roy had basically dropped it the moment he had taken a look.

His face was pale from shock as he looked down at the case as if he was worried it was going to bite him.

“Was that?”

“All eight of the Major Johto Gyms, with Star.” I explained and Grandpa Roy just stared at me for a long time.

Finally he seemed to draw himself back together. “Well, that’s not what I expected to see this morning.” He said and I smirked up at him.

“Yeah Johto weren’t expecting me either.” I offered casually feigning casualness despite the way my lips kept arching into a smirk. That earned me a laugh from Grandpa Roy who took a moment to regain his composure.

Then he went quiet for a while but finally he spoke, sounding nostalgic.

“You know back when your father was a boy, I was there when he set off for his Journey. He was in high spirits, but I had my doubts, Victor never was a solid battler. A bit too easily distracted. When… When he was excommunicated, it was a dark day for the family. For the Clan. I did regret that it was the only choice we had. You… You’ve more than proven to me that we were wrong to push it.”

I blinked at the words and nodded. “Papa is happy. That’s what matters.”

“Heh. Usually it’s the adults that say that about the kids. I promise Victoria. You’ll find that you belong with the clan just as much as your father does. I wasn’t around when you were younger, and I regret that. But I want you to know, I’m proud of you.”

I wasn’t sure what to say to that. I just smiled and nodded and then went back to squeezing Mimikyu.

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—--

An hour later I looked over the yard and felt satisfied. Everyone had been greeted, and settled in. Mimikyu was hiding in my hat again, but I had visited all the little ones, and spent some time with them.

“Okay Mimi. Show me?” I asked and he nodded, knocking my hat around a bit as I hurried back inside.

Before I had left, I had asked Mimikyu if he wanted to make something for me. I had originally come up with it, just as something to distract him with, as he hadn’t liked the idea of me being gone for a few days.

The closet was opened and I stepped in, and Mimikyu jumped out, and after a moment he pulled out something from a pile of cloth.

More cloth than I had bought for him?

“Hmm. Where did all this come from?” I asked, and Mimikyu pointed with his shadowy claw at the pile and I nodded.

He pointed out of the closet, and I nodded for now. “Someone took you to the store?”

“KukKkuk!” He nodded happily and I smiled. I’d have to find out who did that, and thank them. But then it was time as Mimikyu pulled out something that glittered and shimmered and I felt my smile brightening more and more.

“It’s perfect.” I told him, and he cheered happily waving it around as we both celebrated by bouncing around laughing.

—--

“I’m here!” I called out as Arcanine stopped in front of Mama, and Gram Gram!

“There you are! Pfeh! Kept your poor Grandmother waiting!” Gram Gram grumbled at me, so I jumped off and rushed right at her, for a big hug which she accepted happily and squeezed me back.

“I missed you too Gram Gram!”

“Pfeh!” She mumbled, but her tight grip was her honest feelings. Of course then she jerked back a bit and I blinked.

Ah. Hehehe!

I giggled at Gram Grams stricken look before she relaxed and glared at my hat.

“Mimikyu is here too.” I informed her, as My hat shifted a bit revealing Mimikyu. Gram Gram had moved to pat my hair only to run right into Mimikyu!

“Alright ladies. We have some shopping to do.” Mama called out redirecting us. And I nodded. Arcanine went back in her ball so she could rest, and the four of us all headed into the large department store.

Funnily enough the last time I was here was with Zelos.

I’d have to call her and ask if she wanted to do some final training before the conference.

It was coming closer and closer.

“Alright Trouble.” Mama said half sweet and half stern, and I froze at the tone of authority. “We are picking out a new outfit, and it will be approved by your Grandmother and I. Or else.” She said sternly and I slumped.

Aww.

Definitely no Clunky boots then huh?

—--

“Alright come out then.” Gram Gram demanded and I did, stepping out and looking anywhere but at the two women.

This was so embarrassing!

“Aww!” Mama cooed and that only made my face flush more, and I could feel my cheeks puff up.

“I don’t like it!”

“It’s cute!”

“It’s a dress!” I moaned. Iris might be able to pull the Dragon Princess look, but that wasn’t my style!

“I don’t think she’s going to go for it Mother.”

“Pfeh! I tried!” Gram Gram admitted and I perked up as suddenly Mama held out a pile of clothes that had been on a bench beside them and… Oh!

“Nice!” I cheered because I saw pants!

Mimikyu sitting beside Gram Gram slumped a bit, he liked the dress. Mimikyu, it turned out was entirely too enthused about me finding new clothes. From the way he was reacting I was pretty sure he was treating it the same way he did his own Disguise.

Was I just a big Mimikyu with a bad disguise that he wanted to help? The idea had me giggling as I moved forward to take the pile Mama had been hiding. I ran back inside the changing room before anyone could see me in this dress.

I carefully pulled it off, and looked over the clothes. I noticed that Mimikyu had done a good job, he must have helped, because the colors wouldn’t clash with his gift. Smiling at that, I checked it all over.

Instead of pants they were actually leggings, with a bit extra. Pokemon world clothing was pretty durable after all. The black leggings got a grumble from me, but I tried them on, and they fit okay. Then I noticed why they gave me leggings.

A skirt.

I would have immediately refused… But the coloration was good, and it was kinda swishy. I slipped it on, and noticed it had a slit in the side that started at mid thigh, making it a sort of athletic skirt. It also matched the colors of Mimikyu's gift.

The top was an athletic top as well, with long sleeves. I slipped it on, and it matched the leggings. That made sense, it was super cold outside, and then there was a half jacket on top. For a winter style it was okay. But it wouldn’t be complete without a straw hat and Mimikyus addition.

“Don’t forget these!” Mama called and over the top of the changing room was held…

“Okay fine!” I called out, I couldn’t argue that I liked them.

Clunky boots!

I grabbed them and spent a moment putting them on, they even had some cool buckles on the front.

Once I was done, I checked myself in the mirror.

Hmm. I’ll need some gloves to go with this one I think. Otherwise the long sleeve doesn’t work.

But I spun around nodding pleased at how the skirt fwooshed a little, but still kept me modest.

Then I imagined what I would look like with the final addition and nodded.

This would do.

“Okay! I’m getting this one, but I need some gloves!” I called out as I stepped out, and Mama clapped a little, while Gram Gram nodded. “Good.”

“KuKkuuKuu!” Mimikyu cheered and leapt at me, and I spun around giggling at his excitement.

“This’ll be perfect.” I told him and he nodded happily.

“Gloves? Hmm. I can see it. Alright.” Mama said and then pointed back into the changing room for me…

I slumped and turned around. Time to get changed back and probably play through a dozen more outfits.

—--

“Do you like it?” I asked Mimikyu. We had stopped at the food court area of the Celadon Department store, and Mimikyu was trying a bit of ice cream.

The spoon had disappeared underneath the Pikachu costume and then he had gone very very still.

“Kkkkkkkkkk-!” The noise coming from him sounded almost like he was broken and then he shivered and shook.

“Bit too much for you huh?” I asked and he shook wildly and looked right up at me. “Ah! It was really good then.” I figured it out and got another small scoop.

Once again Mimikyu spazzed out as he ate it and I giggled at his reaction.

“Pikachu!” A tiny little voice called out and Mimikyu and I stilled.

Because that had been directed at us. I looked over and there was a little girl, a tiny little thing with a Pikachu doll, and she was pointing at Mimikyu.

“Pikachu!” She called out, eyes wide, and I could feel Mimikyu tense on my lap.

“Nope! Mimikyu!” I called out brightly, and that definitely confused the little girl.

“Pikachu?” She asked, holding up her Pikachu doll.

“Yeah! But this is Mimikyu. See?” I offered, hefting him up a bit and standing so I could crouch down and place him on my knees, letting her get a closer look. “Mimikyu isn’t a doll, he’s a pokemon!”

“Pokemon? But he’s a doll!” She argued with me cutely, looking serious and I smiled.

“Mimikyu, will you offer to shake her hand?” I asked, and he nodded startling the little girl as his hand slowly reached out of his disguise.

She startled at its appearance, but I reached out and grabbed his hand and waved it around a little.

“See? Mimikyu is a pokemon! And he’s the nicest pokemon ever. He’s not good at making friends, because people think he’s a little scary.”

“Scawy?” She mumbled, but she hadn’t run yet, and I smiled.

“Yep! See. People think he’s scary, but he’s not. He’s super nice!”

She looked him over for a moment and nodded. “Yep cute.” She agreed. And Mimikyu melted a little against me.

“K-Kuku?” He spoke very very gently, I noticed, and she blinked.

“Coo coo?” She repeated, and I couldn’t help my giggle as Mimikyu just nodded regardless.

She smiled and reached out a hand and Mimikyu met her. A moment later she had a weird look on her face as she felt the texture of his Shadow Claw.

“Weird.”

“Hehe! But not scary right?”

“No… He’s like Marrrlo.” She said sort of slurring the name as she did.

“Marlo?” I asked, and she nodded.

“Papa’s NiderKing. He’s big, and looks scawy, but is nice.” She said and I smirked as I knew that was good enough. Mimikyu reached out and suddenly the little girl was being hugged and she looked surprised for a moment before smiling happily and patting Mimikyu on his back.

This of course meant she touched his disguise and she gasped.

“Soft!” She cheered and then Mimikyu was being spun around a bit unsteadily as she laughed and hugged him tightly.

Heh.

“Mimicuyte!” She declared and I wasn’t sure if she was calling him cute, or just hadn’t understood the name, or was just incapable of saying it.

Either way it had my poor lonely boy's heart melt all the more, and he soon burst into tears.

“Wha? Crying!?” She asked and then a moment later her own eyes started tearing up and she started crying before I could do anything to stop it.

“Milly!?” A woman called out and suddenly I had no choice but to look apologetic as the little girl continued to squeeze Mimikyu tight as both of them cried into each other.

The woman stalled as she realized that what her daughter was holding wasn’t just a weird doll but a Pokemon, so I stepped in.

“Okay Mimikyu, c’mere buddy.” I spoke clearly, and while it took a bit of doing I got the two separated as the woman snatched up her daughter as Mimikyu switched to hugging and crying into my chest. “That’s a good boy.” I comforted him as I gently rocked him. The girl slowly stopped crying as she looked from her mother to me with Mimikyu.

“Why cry!?” She asked sniffling and I smiled, as I turned Mimikyu around so she could see him.

“It was happy tears! Mimikyu was so happy he cried!” I told her, with a big smile and her big brown eyes still full of tears blinked a bit before she smiled back.

“What is going on here?” The woman asked, and I smiled apologetically to her.

“Sorry! Your daughter noticed my Mimikyu, and she thought he was a Pikachu, because he’s wearing his Pikachu costume today. She said some very nice things to him, and he’s a bit sensitive so he started crying, and that got her crying.” And I shrugged.

What could you do?

The woman nodded slowly, but she could see Mimikyu’s shadow arms wrapped around me, and I could tell she was uncomfortable.

“Well. That’s… Alright then.” She offered and gave me a short bow before making sure Milly had her Pikachu doll, and then was walking away.

Of course Mimikyu slumped, but then perked up as Milly started waving at him from around her mothers shoulder.

Mimikyu waved back.

Heh. That was nice. Maybe I’ll need to put together a primer on Mimikyu? It was kind of nice to see Milly make friends with him.

“Want to finish the Ice Cream?” I asked Mimikyu who perked up.

—--

I ended up sitting in the back seat with Mimikyu as Mama drove us home instead of riding Arcanine. I had thought about leaving, but it was obvious Mama and Gram Gram wanted to spend time with me. So instead I told them all about my trip.

“And then Whitney tried to not give me the badge, and Bugsy went to talk with her. Whatever he said convinced her, and I got my star Plain Badge.

“Hmm. Figures a Johto Gym Leader would act like that.” Gram Gram grumbled, and I just shook my head. “Most of them were pretty nice, if a bit distant. Besides, Bugsy was cool. I still owe him another battle.”

“Oh? You liked this Johto Boy?”

“He’s a Bug Nerd, just like I’m a Pokemon Nerd. So our interests overlap a bit.” I said and then cocked my head as Gram Gram gave me a big smirk from the front seat.

“Maybe you should have him come over some time. I’d like to meet this Johto Boy.” Gram Gram added, and I felt the confusion flow over my face before it struck me.

“EWWW!” I squealed gross! Bugsy was just a kid! “Don’t be gross!” I demanded but that only made Gram Gram break out into cackles, and even Mama was getting into it giggling as she drove and I just glared because how dare they!

“Now now Vicky. We’re just teasing.” Mama offered. “It’s okay if you end up liking a Johto boy.” She said and then broke out into laughter at my horrified look on my face.

Never! Boys were boys! I didn’t need them! Gross!