Chapter 9 - Act 1

Trey did his best to ignore the glares, burrowing holes into the back of his head as he left the cafe area, heading past the front desk and giving a wave to Nurse Joy.

Making a beeline for the elevator he went to the upper floors and found his way back to the twin's room.

Entering the doorway he felt the snap of the psychic connection with Rose come back. A feeling of warm comfort flowed through.

Trey was able to see exactly why right away as well. Rose was being held in between the twins as they both slept on opposite sides of her.

"Won't be needing the food right now huh…" Trey said with a smile, looking over to a chair that housed Kuro.

The blueish-black bird had apparently been picking at the remaining berries as he was kicking a pit back and forth between his feet in obvious boredom. Kuro noticed Trey finally at the doorway, unfurrowing his wings but staying silent for the sleeping twins.

Good to know he has manners despite his mischievous nature. Trey scoffed.

Trey walked over to the bird, the food in a pair of bags in his hands.

"How was the checkup bud?" Trey said softly.

Kuro looked Trey in the eyes, then gave a soft kaw, waving his right-wing casually.

"Oh? Good then? No problems sounds like," Trey said suddenly realizing he was talking to Kuro like he could understand him, "Anyway," he thought aloud shaking his head, "Here's the food I promised, eat up bud."

Trey pushed his feeling of going crazy to the back of his mind, as he pulled the bird-type tray of food he got from the cafe out, putting it on the table next to Kuro.

Kuro raised both his wings and head up into the air in jubilation, giving a soft hiss of joy before plunging his beak into the tray.

"Wow, slow down there bud your going to-" Trey tried to say, before Kuro began coughing his eyes going wide as it hopped from one foot to the other in panic.

"You little! I told you!" Trey said, pulling the bird up by his feet, and shaking him, not sure what to do.

After a few rough ups and downs, Trey managed to help -if you can call it that- Kuro coughed up the stuck piece of meat he was choking on. Kuro didn't even seem to mind as he plucked the food off the tray again, chewing and swallowing with the same vigor.

"Man… my Pokemon are always just going at their own pace…" Trey sighed, sitting down next to Kuro.

Trey heard a snicker coming from the bed across from him.

"You're Pokemon are something, that's for sure. They say Pokemon are a reflection of their Trainer. It's a lot like pets and their owners, or so I hear," Yuki said, her one eye cracked open slightly.

"I thought you were sleeping?" Drake said, his eyes thinning.

"No, just resting. I can't exactly be tired after everything that's been happening. I was sleeping for several days apparently. I think I've gotten more than enough rest," Yuki admitted.

"That's true," Trey replied, his face dimming slightly, "Well, since your up, Yuuks, want some food?" Trey asked, his hand going for the bag.

"That would be nice… Trey? Should I call you Trey or big brother..?" Yuki asked, "And why do you call me Yuks?"

Trey turned with a confused look on his face, "I always called you Yuuks, it's just a nickname that's stuck? And you can just call me Trey like you always have right?"

Trey got up with the food bringing it over, but his face was still twisted in confusion.

"You've been acting strange for a while now. Are you sure you're alright? Even the way you talk is different," Trey said, handing the tray of food to her.

"I um… Yeah, I'm feeling fine… My head is just a little fuzzy.." she told him, but Trey noticed her shifting eyes.

"Well, I won't push it. Whatever it is, you can tell me when you're ready. Just eat up, and get some sleep. It's getting late. I wouldn't be surprised if they kick us out now that you both have woken up.

"They're going to kick out children..? Do we even have a place to go, the Orphanage burned down after all…" Yuki asked, cracking open the tray gently to reduce the noise.

"Yeah… I have some arrangements made for us until I can find us a place to stay. But don't worry about a thing," Trey said, his face turning confident as a hardened Steelix, "Rose, Kuro and I will be racking up the wins and money from battles soon enough!"

Yuki laughed lightly, bringing the first bite of food to her mouth.

"Ohhh! This is like a garbage plate! What is this?!" she exclaimed a little louder than she wanted, her face turning a shade of red, "Ahem… But is that how battles work?" she asked then whispering, "In the games, it was like that after each battle but this is real life now isn't it…? Actually… what time is it, a Ralts means it's at least Gen 2 and we're in Saffron…."

"What are you saying? I can't hear you if you mumble. And I don't know, it's whatever the employee recommended. You know we don't eat out much, but I didn't have a choice since we don't have a kitchen," Trey explained, raising his brow.

Yuki giggled nervously, "Haha… Yeah.. I knew that…" she answered, gulping down another mouthful, "So pretty boy Trey, is that nurse, Jenna, your girlfriend or something?" Yuki suddenly asked, a mischievous smile forming as she pointed a fork at him.

"W-what? I'm underage Yuuks. Jenna is eighteen. And I have too many problems right now to worry about a girlfriend," he answered walking over to the bed, making sure Sasha and Rose were still sleeping.

His hand went to gently pat both their heads in turn, his expression doting for the children.

"Hmmmm…. You know only playboys say stuff like that," Yuki said, sticking the spoon of food into her mouth as it bobbed up and down.

"Where are you hearing this stuff from Yuuks?" Trey asked curiously, ignoring her leading statement.

Yuki began to look left to right for an escape, suddenly spotting a magazine on the far side of the room.

"Magazines! Yeah, the magazine said it!" she said hopping on the life preserver.

Trey walked over to the colored booklet, lifting it up to scan the cover. On it was a breathtaking woman of tan skin, blue hair in a light blue dress that complimented her eyes and style overall. The words 'The Raging Wave!" pasted on the cover.

Looking down to the left corner he spotted a familiar name for the publisher.

Mr. Nivvar of Furiizaa Studios, All Rights Reserved.

"Oh, would you look at that… Don't read this anymore, it will rot your brain," Trey said casually.

Also if I ever take that job from Mr. Nivvar, the last thing I need is the twins seeing me in a magazine like this…. Trey thought embarrassedly. Who uses a Legendary Pokemon's name as their studio too… Mr. Nivvar sure is something.

Trey's stray thoughts were interrupted by a change in his mental connection with Rose, feeling her in some vague way stir awake.

Turning he saw the small Pokemon raise her arms in a cute yawn, as her face lit up seeing Trey in the room.

"Hey sweetie, have a good nap?" he said smiling.

"Alts!" Rose cooed, keeping one arm raised.

"Good, I have some food for you, hungry?" Trey asked.

Rose nodded, then attempted to get up but was held firmly in place by the sleeping Sasha. He gave a soft groan and mumbled something before nuzzling further into her, refusing to let go of the apparently comfortable Mon.

Trey chuckled lightly then walked over to the windowsill where his belt was still being held. Picking up the sole Pokeball on it he hit the button expanding it.

"Alright I'll help you out sweetie," Trey laughed, returning her to her ball, as Sasha slumped slightly in the bed balling up around the absent Rose.

Releasing her again next to him. Rose came out of the ball in a flash of white, her head shaking as she gave a stretch accompanied by a gratifying coo.

"He have you there for a long time?" Trey asked, smiling.

"Ral…. Ralts alts…" Rose mumbled, but Trey could feel the happy glee coming from their connection. So he assumed she was just complaining a bit but in the end very happy to be loved by them twins.

"You'll need to get used to it, Rose, Sasha, and Yuki are going to be with us for the rest of our life," Trey chuckled, putting down the tray of food next to her.

Rose cood before her hands dug into the food, pulling berries and pieces of vegetables from it.

"Ah!! No no! Don't eat it with your bare hand…s…." Trey tried to say, but Rose's hands were already colored in blues, pinks, and purples from the cut berries, "It's ok we'll just clean you up later…" Trey sighed.

"Speaking of cleaning up. What in the hell is that smell?" Yui asked, pinching her nose.

"Hell..?" Trey questioned, but gave a whiff of his pits suddenly almost stunned as if he was hit by stun spore, "Wow. I need a shower. I wonder if they have one here for patients?"

Trey thought aloud, his face a little bit embarrassed. But the reality was he didn't have a home until they moved into the studio that he could shower in just yet.

His eyes wandered to the clock in the room, seeing the time.

[11:56]

"Arceus, it's already twelve practically! You two finish up your food and get some rest," Trey said pointing to Rose and Kuro, "You too, Yuuks. You've been through a lot so catch up on some real rest. I don't have work in the morning but I had to pick up shifts at the bar, so we're going to move into the studio in the morning. I'm going to try and find a place to shower. I smell worse than a Ryhorn's backside right now…."

"Yes please, I can't stand these uncomfortably small beds…" Yuki said, pouting, but a smile still pulled at the side of her mouth as she looked to the side at Sasha in the same 'small' bed.

Trey scoffed and looked to Kuro and Rose, "Can I trust you both to watch them again? Try to get some rest though. We have to start hitting the books and training as well!" Trey announced, his face turning to a goofy scowl like a League Instructor that he saw in one of the movies they used to watch at the Orphanage.

Kuro gave a kaw in the form of what Trey thought was a scoff, and Rose gave a tilt of her head in confusion, finding the food in front of her more interesting.

"You guys… Get more enthused! We're about to start our Pokemon journey! We're going to have to work together until the next circuit then take it by storm! For the money!" Trey said with confidence, making sure to add his real reason on the end of his speech.

"Next circuit?" Yuki asked.

"Yeah, the current one is about half over from what the League Official told me. We entered to get around some legal trouble for now, but I'm hoping to take advantage of it and see where it goes as a career. Trainers make quite a good living, and can retire early to go into other fields," Trey explained.

"Hooo…." Yuki hummed, "So you're in for the money, not everything else? That's rather contrary to an anime protagonist…." she mumbled.

"A what? And where did you learn such difficult words?" Trey asked.

Yuki's face turned to panic again but quickly pointed to the magazine once more.

"Alright, definitely no more magazines for you… At least not one's I haven't read," Trey said laughing wryly.

Trey made sure everyone was sorted in the room. Food, water, and didn't need anything further, before another expense came to his mind when he left the doorway towards the elevator.

"I'm going to need to get them phones too, aren't I…. Please let there be an affordable family plan!" he said, putting his hand to his temples.

—-------

Making his way down to the front desk again, Trey made sure to stand a relatively safe distance away, now that he was more conscious of his, odor.

"Hello again Nurse Joy," Trey said, with a wave.

Nurse Joy raised her brow confused.

Trey quickly realized it must have been a work shift change.

"Oh I'm sorry, You're her sister? I apologize," Trey said bowing slightly.

"It's quite fine dear. How can I help you?" Joy asked, giving a wave of her own hand and a smile.

"I wanted to know if there are any showering facilities available? Also, I was wondering if it's possible to take the twins home now that they are conscious?" Trey asked.

"There is a facility for trainers here since we double as a Pokemon Center. You can find it over there on the Building map," Joy said pointing to a familiar direction board, "As far as the patients," she said, momentarily stopping to type into her computer.

"They have a full checkup due in the morning, but if they pass without any problems I don't see why they shouldn't be able to go home. From the records, it seems that outside of their burns, there weren't any other injuries. How are they feeling, if you don't mind me asking?" asked Nurse Joy.

Trey's hand clenched by reflex at hearing the injuries of the twins but released a breath to answer Nurse Joy.

"They're doing better. Both of them are in good spirits, and I intend to keep it that way," Trey said giving a smile, "Thank you for the information."

"It's not a problem, I'm glad they are doing well. You seem to have a good head on your shoulders, Trey. Those two are lucky to have you looking after them."

Trey kept his smile but didn't answer. His own internal thoughts the exact opposite of what she said. But he bowed respectfully and turned to go down the hall a bit to see the Building's Road Map.

If i had been there before, they wouldn't have had to go through everything in the first place…. They aren't lucky to have me. I'm just repenting for not being there when I should have been. Trey thought, his hands clenching and his jaw tightening.

Trey sighed, trying to push his negative thoughts to the back of his mind, looking over the directions.

"Ah. I don't have extra clothes….." Trey realized, finding where the showers were, "This place wouldn't happen to have… Oh, it does! Is this place a hospital or a mall?!" Trey exclaimed, genuinely impressed.

Trey walked down the hall the map directed, finding himself in a small store.

Entering he was hit by the smell of fresh clothing and threads of all kinds. His head scanned the store, looking for the men's section.

Soon he caught the eye of the clerk behind the register, who gave a slight bow to him in greeting. Trey bowed back, then made his way through the store, a little embarrassed that he was only here because he essentially had no other clothing to speak of.

I should probably get some for the twins too… Ahhhh my funds aren't going to last at this rate! I need to get my butt into gear with those Pokemon battles!

Trey went from picking out his own clothes. He thankfully didn't care much about how they looked and only picked up the cheapest ones they had, going to the children's section which surprisingly had a bigger selection than the adults.

"Hmm, I wonder what Sasha and Yuki would like..? They're young so probably Pokehero's? Maybe Poke' Patrol? Ah… I'm no good at this!" Trey grumbled aloud.

After some agonizing minutes, Trey decided to pick out two pairs for now each for the twins, guessing their sizes as best he could.

Arriving at the counter, he placed the clothes down and went through the process of paying for them.

"That will be, 214 credits even, sire. Would you like to pay with cash or credit?" the clerk said.

"T-t-two hundred?!" Trey said, sweating.

I'm being robbed!! He cursed internally.

"C-cash, please…." Trey said reluctantly digging into his wallet.

Sulking away out of the shop after being robbed at gunpoint, Trey moved back down the hall taking a turn towards the Gym Facility on the floor. Passing by a surprising amount of people and Pokemon.

Wow, that's a lot of fighting types… I've never seen a Machamp that large what the….

Trey's eyes bulged as he saw the towering Machamp barely pass through the doorway. Its Trainer right behind them.

Trey gave a nod and headed into the facility, his bag of clothes in one hand.

Looking around Trey spotted people and Pokemon working out in tandem, some spotting one another as they worked on the machines.

Trey suddenly felt self-conscious as he moved toward the bathrooms and showers.

Oh man, I need to start working out… Maybe our next Pokemon needs to be a Fighting type… Trey thought, his feet moving slightly more quickly than before as he beelined for the showers.

Trey was met with the humid air of the hot showers that were apparently on, and the chatter of gym bros as soon as he passed the opening into the changing room.

He moved into the room quickly finding an empty locker and placing the twin's spare clothes into them, but kept his important belongings with him.

Can never be too safe. I'm scraping for credits right now, so I can't afford to lose anything… Trey scoffed, bringing his change of clothes towards the showers.

Trey, unfortunately, couldn't find an open shower, each one taken, their curtains pulled close.

Forced to stand awkwardly with his clothes, his eyes started to droop. The exhaustion of the day finally catching up to him.

He swayed back and forth slightly on his feet, only to be startled awake by one of the curtains being drawn and a large man walking out and bumping into him.

"Oh sorry about that. Didn't see you there. Hey..? You alright kid?" the man asked.

Trey shook his head, "Huh? What? Yeah I'm fine…" he said, his speech a bit delayed.

"You sure brother? You look like you got run over by a herd of Onix."

Trey gave a weary smile and wave of his hand, "Y-yeah.. Just need a good long hot shower…"

The man gave Trey a sidelong glance, as Trey moved passed him into the shower stall, closing the curtain behind him.

Trey placed his clean clothes over the curtain so they would stay dry. Undressing slower than he would have liked, he struggled to take off article after article of clothing, placing them on the other side of the curtain behind him.

Finally removing all of his clothing his feet touched the damp cold floor.

"Ah… I forgot soap…" Trey realized standing there naked looking up at the shower head, "I must be way more tired than I thought…"

Trey sighed, his head drooping but he found several bottles in the holder to the right next to the shower handles, giving him at least some mental relief.

He finally move dot turn on the shower, the hot water flowing from the nozzle and giving him blissful relaxation in the steaming flow of hot water.

Trey gave a roar of gratification, forgetting where he was as he raised his voice through the locker room.

"What the?"

"Who's screaming?!"

"Is something wrong!?"

"Machamp! Champ!"

Trey flinched his head recoiling as he realized what he had just done.

"Ah! Sorry, I slipped and stubbed my toe!" Trey yelled from the stall.

"Oh is that it?"

"Need us to call someone?"

"You alright bro? Hope it's not serious!"

"Ouch, done that before. No worries!"

Trey relaxed, surprised by the people in the room actually not being upset, but wondering if he was alright.

Wow… Gym Bros are surprisingly good people, I expected more hardened people like Donnie if I'm being completely honest. I guess don't judge books by their covers.

Sighing, Trey embraced the heat of the water, relaxing again. His mind slowing down from the day, but the problems he would have to face and overcome quickly began to scratch at the back of his mind once more.

Trey tried his best to keep them at bay as he went for the soap cleaning himself.

The shower took much longer than Trey thought, but it was a good reprieve from the busy life he had and that was only going to increase.

Exiting and finding a towel supplied by the trainers' gym Trey dried off and changed into his clean clothes, putting the others into the paper bag.

"Ah….. I feel alive again. Well at least not dead," Trey laughed, grabbing the rest of his stuff out of the locker.

—-----

Trey made his way back up to the ICU, and into the twin's room. Finding both of them sound asleep as well as Rose snoozing cutely on the chair with Kuro on the back of the chair watching over all of them like some sort of guardian.

Trey scoffed, "For a Pokemon that's supposed to be such a misfit, you're surprisingly a gentleman…" Trey chuckled softly, addressing Kuro.

Kuro only gave Trey a cursory glance, before closing his own eyes, seeing that he had returned. And went to sleep himself.

"Still conversation shy huh? Wonder if it's a bird thing…" Trey mused, walking over to the empty seat next to them.

Plopping down into the chair his exhaustion consuming him, it only took a moment before his own eyes fell and he was taken into the embrace of sleep.

—----

"Spearow! Pearow!"

Trey was awoken again unwantedly by the sound of a bird he was coming to despise. The Mon was hanging on the tree branch outside of the window.

He opened one eye seeing the bird but also felt something on his shoulder and lap.

Looking down he found Rose sleeping there, and to his side, he found Kuro perched, his head inside his wing as he grumbly rose from it, Kuro's eyes giving a death stare to the Spearow.

"I wouldn't object to you teaching that Spearow a lesson…" Trey mumbled rubbing his eyes.

"Row…" Kuro grumbled, hopping off of Trey's shoulder, taking long deliberate steps towards the windowsill.

Trey looked on as Kuro walked to the open window, his wing suddenly shining in a white glow as he rammed it into the back of the head of the unsuspecting Spearow mid-kaw.

The Spearow instantly ceased its wake-up call as it careened towards the ground out of sight.

Kuro turned around, Trey swearing he could see Kuro's beak turn upward into a grin.

Trey gave a thumbs up, "Good job."

"Mur, mur," Kuro said casually, waving his wing.

Trey laughed lightly at his definite spirit Pokemon before he turned his head to the clock. It was now 7:37 in the morning and Trey had gotten to sleep around 1, so he had only slept for around six hours but that wasn't a bad number. Trey had survived on less.

He looked around the room seeing that the twins were still asleep.

"Ok," he thought aloud, "I think I'll let them sleep some more, but we have a bunch of stuff to do today. I want to hit the studio and get them settled. Library for research. Oh, and we need to get them phones don't we…" Trey said, feeling a hole form in his back pocket.

"I'd like a laptop if possible," Yuki said from the bed.

"Why are you awake so early, little lady?" Trey admonished, hearing the voice.

"First shift for 20 years will do that to anyone. It's ingrained into my very soul," Yuki replied casually, then coughing, "I m-mean anyone would wake up from that ruckus just now… I'm more surprised Rose and Sasha are still sleeping," she amended.

Trey gave her a suspicious glance but dismissed it, her weird way of speaking being the least of his worries.

"We'll see. We can head down to the Mart when Sasha wakes up then. I'm going to go get us all some breakfast," he explained, looking down at the still sleeping Rose, "Can you watch her? Kuro and I-" he was about to say as he turned to the bird pokemon, only to see him already back asleep on the chair next to him, "Nevermind, I will go get some food for us. There's some clothes I bought for you both yesterday. I didn't know your sizes so I just got what I thought was a close fit. The studio Kristine owns has a shower, so you both can clean up once we get there."

"Ohhhh a real Poke'Mart?! I can't wait…. Can we go catch some Pokemon too?" Yuki asked excitedly.

"Yuuks…" Trey sighed, "Another time. Right now I want to settle in," he explained, then remembered the adoption fair, "Tell you what. If you and Sasha can both prove you can keep to your studies, behave and help me care for Rose and Kuro. There's an adoption event for Pokemon in the town over in a month or so. Both of you do that for me, and I promise to get you both a companion."

"Oh! You mean it, Triple B?!" Yuki exclaimed.

"Triple B..?" Trey questioned.

"Yeah, Triple B. Big Beautiful Bro," Yuki smiled mischievously.

"Don't call me that… It makes my back itchy…. And yes I mean it, but! Only if you can prove you're capable of caring for a Pokemon properly. Which means taking care of yourself properly first. Understand?" Trey said, reiterating his point.

Yuki nodded furiously.

"You got it Trey-niisan!" Yuki smiled.

"What? No one talks like that. Where are you learning this from?" Trey asked confused.

Yuki panicked again, pointing to the magazine.

"The mag said that it was a trendy way to address older boys…" Yuki said embarrassedly.

"How was I supposed to know they don't use honorifics here… It's Pokemon for Christ sakes…!" she added in a hushed whisper.

"Ok, definitely no more magazines for you…."

Trey shook his head, etching into his heart to never allow them or his children to look at magazines until they were much, much older.

Getting up slowly and placing Rose onto Yuki's lap, Trey made his way out of the room and back down to the cafe. Passing the reception desk, he surprisingly didn't see Nurse Joy there. But did notice a small line of people waiting to be taken care of.

Most of them were trainers, holding small starter Pokemon. Trey spotted many of Kanto's iconic Pokemon. Squirtle, Charmander, and Bulbasaur, even seeing a Pidgey and an Evee in one of the trainer's arms.

Wow, an Evee… That girl must be from a really well-off family. Trey thought in passing as he walked by and down the hall.

"I wonder what happened?" he mused aloud.

Taking no time to get into the correct line's this time, Trey was able to order food for everyone, running him about the same as yesterday 30 odd some credits.

"It still hurts though… And the cellphones later… and the Pokedex…." Trey thought aloud, lamenting the cost of things as he sighed, "Well, I'll just have to find a way to make this Trainer thing work. They did mention in the contract that gaining badges allowed for a larger stipend. So, let's go from there," he said, constructing a plan.

"I'll have to do a bunch of research first… I don't know the first thing about battling. I wonder if there are any videos like the one Lauren showed me on the net? Maybe I should just ask her… Yeah, let's do that. First Library, then I'll give her a call. There is Maev too, but… she's a bit of an eccentric little person…. So I'd rather not."

Trey talked to himself as he passed the desk again on his way to the elevator, still not seeing Nurse Joy at the station.

He paid it no mind and just assumed they were having a busy morning.

A few minutes later he was back in the twin's room, the sound of playful laughing coming from the beds.

"Oh looks like everyone's awake now," Trey said, putting down the food.

"Yeah! When can we go? Yuki said you're buying us phones!" Sasha said, grabbing for the food.

"Wait no, that's Kuro's…" Trey laughed, giving Sasha the correct container, "Yeah, once your checkups are all done, we're headed to the Mart first thing. Then we'll settle into Krisinte's studio. Sounds good?"

Sasha nodded as he put forkful after forkful of the food into his mouth.

Yuki smiled and wiped the mess from his face before grabbing her own food.

"When are our examinations?" Yuki asked, cracking open her food.

"I'm not sure if I'm being honest.. Should be anytime soon though, I'll go talk to a nurse," Drake answered turning to go back outside the room.

"You're not going to eat?" Yuki questioned.

"I ate downstairs," Trey lied waving a hand.

Rose cooed but her anger transferred over their psychic connection. She was somehow able to tell through it he was still hungry.

Trey put a finger to his mouth, signaling to keep quiet about it, and left for the hall before she could make a fuss.

"Be right back, finish up your food. Big day ahead," Trey said leaving the room.

He quickly found a nurse navigating the halls.

"Excuse me," Trey said, getting their attention.

"Yes, what do you need?" the woman replied.

"I wanted to know when the checkup is supposed to be for the patients in that room?" Trey asked.

"Let me see…." the nurse responded, walking back to the room Trey pointed to.

Pulling the chart from the shelf next to the door, the nurse paged through the clipboard finding what they were looking for.

"Ah, here it is. It should have been at 7… Let me go talk to my supervisor, I will be right back," they said, excusing themselves.

Huh… Something weird is going on… Trey thought, walking back into the twin's room.