In an alternate universe the light remains

Continued from: X

 Shane was not really that sure what had happen in the past. All he knows is that Ava lost a pokemon somehow but at least her mother did answer the question… it did raise quite a lot of new ones, still, he did not push further on the topic. Maria was clearly not comfortable with it… and for a good reason.

  Team Rocket was no good thing. Shane was mad and sad. His own family in Kanto had to deal with Team Rocket and suffered because of them, so hearing that one of his new friend pokemon had to give up their life to protect them… He would never forgive them ever again.

  “I’m sorry to hear that” He said ashamed he even asked as he looked away “I shouldn’t have asked. I apologize” If Ava wants to talk about it, she will do with time. He was not going to force her… and considering how Maria seemed to react and answer, she probably did not want to talk about it either.

 “That should be enough for now… I don’t wanna upset Ava… so I suppose I should avoid this topic”  He said with a sigh just in time before the girl came back holding the troublemaker. Shane could not help but chuckle at the image. It was rather cute. He does spoil her rotten… that is something he

  “Ummm… is there somewhere I could change this wet clothes? I don’t want to well… get the whole house wet” He was still dripping here and there after all. Luna on her side had other plans cause as soon as she was on the ground, she run up to Shane and jumped on his face to hug him and stay there with a deadly grip. Shane shock his head and left a frustrated noise “Luna doesn’t like it when I’m alone in a room. She thinks I will disappear and never come back or something”

Ava simply laughs as the little mantis like Pokemon leaps from her arms to attach herself to Shane’s face. Ava then points to a door in the living room. “You can change in the bathroom over there. Don’t be afraid to use the Suicune towels to dry up.” She offers, kneeling to scoop up Forrest who had come to paw at her leg for attention. She cradles the puppy Pokemon in one arm while she starts pulling out chairs to finish up setting the table. 

Maria has busied herself with setting out the Pokemon food, digging into a drawer to pull out a few spare bowls for any of Shane’s Pokemon he wanted to dine with them as the rest of the Pokemon in the household crowded into the kitchen. 

Ava sits herself once she deems everything is prepared, although she refuses to eat anything herself until Shane is present. She doesn’t notice the wistful look her mother shoots at her before she glances at the door where Shane would be changing. A faint smile graces her face as she starts plating everyone’s food.

“He seems like a doll. Where’d you find that looker?” She quips, even sparing a laugh.

 It seems like Ava and Maria have moved quite a lot, or at least Maria has. It was weird for them to move so much, or for anyone to do so, but he was not going to question it. Maybe they were getting better jobs and stuff so that would mean they had to move a lot? That was probably it.

  “Well, all trainers eventually reach their roadblock I suppose, but you managed to overcome it… somewhat. At least you continued to work and be strong! Not to mention raise such a beauti- I mean, nice daughter” That compliment almost slipped past his lips from the flirting he was doing earlier, and god knows how heavy a mother can get if they hear that kind of stuff.

  “Do you… mind if I ask what happen to… Ava’s pokemon?” He did not just want to ask Ava. She might feel sad by just remembering, but he was too curious to just let it pass. Maybe he could ask her mother and not feel so bad if he knew the truth? Maybe he can help Ava someway.

  Luna on her side just popped her head up the shirt she was looking through and looked at Ava for just a moment as she listened… she was still young, a little baby despite evolving, but if there was one thing she chould understand, was when people offer her food. She immediately freed herself from the shirt and run up to Ava’s arm, practically jumping towards her to be carried to the goodies.

Maria could only giggle as Shane rambled on about her achievements, as well as compliment her little girl. She was half tempted to tease him about his near slip up but his hesitant question caught her off guard. She wasn’t aware Ava had shared such things with him....Was it really alright for her to answer that particular question?

“So you....Know about Stella do you?” Maria questioned carefully, now slowly gathering extra utensils as she thought how to best go about explaining this without giving too much away. Maria wasn’t even sure it was really her place to tell but....He had asked and Ava has been doing so well moving on from her past....Both their pasts really.

“To put it simply....The most direct response would say that it was ultimately Team Rocket’s fault. Her Pokemon lost her life protecting her....” Maria found herself clamming up, knowing there was so much more to the story, but found it hurt even her to think about. To know that her husband had been....Maria tensed before relaxing as Noah had began patting her leg gently. “Ava was just a little over the age when kids start their Pokemon journeys when Team Rocket began to heighten their activity. That’s part of the reason we moved so much. But that’s why we’re here in Alola. To have a completely fresh new start.”

Maria then releases a hefty sigh as she places the last plate on the table, full of steamed bread as she glances at Shane. “That’s really all I can say for now hon. The rest is up to my daughter. She was probably the most affected out of the whole ordeal after all.”

Meanwhile Ava had been completely oblivious to the conversation taking place in the kitchen, instead happily scooping up Luna into her arms. She made sure to hold her carefully, not sure if Luna’s species had any sore points or places they didn’t like having touched or messed with.