Author's Notes:

Part ten of ten. IT'S FINALLY OVER!
There may or may not be spoilers located within any of these textwalls for Ausbrony's story A Brave New World.
And now I'm going to go DIE for a few days before I have to do the Foxcross. Pardon me while I prep my anti-spoiler flamethrower. It also works on pesky deconstructive commenters.

Early in the morning, the routine was fairly standard in the home of Nurem. Jeanne woke up and went to the kitchen to prepare a delicious breakfast for the family. Bit was on door duty while the family roused themselves, and all was normal. Until the lightest of knocking could was heard at the door. Within as little time to spare as possible, the Porygon-Z poked its head out, did a quick sweep of the area, and upon seeing nothing immediately obvious, sat there and ticked as he considered the situation.

With no immediate culprit, the program closed the door. But that was only the beginning of the intriguing morning.

Sam had eventually come to, walked into the kitchen, and aided Jeanne in retrieving the needed ingredients in exchange for his usual coffee. Once he took his seat, though, he saw the cutest yet most determined Whismur climbing up to the top of the table and pound her tiny fists to get attention one she reached her goal.

“Hungry!” she declared, with the tiniest, most adorable voice. A low chuckle came from behind her then, and once she looked around, saw that she was in front of a most amused Scizor.

“And who might you be? You’re not Wendy, that’s for certain; she didn’t talk around others,” Sam said while sipping his coffee.

“Aster!” the Whisper 'mon smiled. “Who’a you?”

“Hello Aster, I’m Sam,” the Pincer ‘mon said, offering her his free (and closed!) claw. “So I can see that you’re hungry, so that answers what you’re doing here. And you’ve already told me who. So how about...how did you get in?”

“D’Porygon let me,” Aster giggled. She took a look at the extended claw and suddenly nommed on it, before scrunching up her face and spitting it out. “Bleh!”

“Well, that’s an...interesting sensation,” Sam commented. “You were supposed to shake it, dear one. It was how the humans greeted one another: handshakes, typically.”

Aster stood up and waddled over to the Scizor, and promptly hugged his face. “Momma give hugs, so I give hugs!” she giggled.

Sam reached up with his closed claw and gently moved the Whismur down to his chest, letting her continue to hug along the way. He didn’t have anything against hugs, but he’d rather be able to talk. “Well, that works too,” he conceded. “So Bit let you in...but how did you get in the building in the first place?”

“Unca Sethy!” she said as she let go and sat back on the table, poking at a plate. “He’s helping me find Mommy!”

“That sounds like Seth alright,” Sam said with a chuckle. “Do you know what your mother is? Quite a few were changed a few weeks ago, and we do have a pretty powerful ‘search engine’ on our side,” the Scizor mentioned. “If she’s here, I’m pretty sure Vincent will be able to find her...unless she’s a Dark or Bug Type, of course.”

“Um... Mommy is... Mommy is...” The Whismur’s eyes began to water as she inhaled deeply...but before she could unleash her cry, she felt herself being softly stroked and petted. For someone with a metallic exoskeleton, Sam could be quite gentle when he wanted.

“I’m sorry, little one. I didn’t mean to make you cry,” he muttered near-silently. “Vincent just does better work if he knows what he’s looking for. A form, a type, a name,” the bug explained.

“Papa Sala!” she said, sniffing slightly. “Mommy always had Papa Sala with her!” She looked at Sam expectantly. “Can you find Mommy Unca Sam?”

“Well,” Sam said with a chuckle. “Not me, no! The reason I keep talking about Vincent is that he’s Psychic, Aster. And Sala...Salamence? Your mother always had a Salamence with her?” Sam questioned. “That...is a good lead...but something that would be better is if you knew what others called your mother. A lot of what a person is is tied up in their name.”

“Mommy’s... name?” Aster blinked. “Mommy is Mommy... but only to Aster!” She scrunched up her face as she thought about the question, before coming up with an answer for Sam. “Z-Zinnia!” Aster finally said. “Mommy’s name is Zinnia!”

“Well,” Vincent said as he entered the dining area. “Glad to know the name of your mother, little one. Also glad to hear a Whismur that talks. Hello there.”

“STRANGER!” Aster blasted the Kadabra with a Hyper Voice, the glancing blow making Vincent stumble. “Save me Unca Sam!”

Sam just laughed and brought one claw over to the Kadabra that was shaking his head. “Aster, might I introduce my little brother, Vincent? And Vincent, this easily excitable little ball of cute is Aster.”

“Charmed,” Vincent said, his ears flipping around as he attempted to work them again. “I didn’t need to hear today anyways.”

Aster looked sad. “Sorry Unca Sam, I didn’t mean to hurt Big Bro VinVin! But mommy told me t’be careful of strangers...”

“...Why do I look at her and think ‘this is what Rika was like when she was her age?’” Vincent questioned as he sat himself down at the table. “And I’m sure that ringing noise is only temporary.”

Sam just ran a claw down Aster’s back to reassure her. “Accidents happen, little one. At least yours don’t seem to involve property damage.”

Aster tummy gave a loud rumble and she looked around. “Want food now!” she said adamantly. After a moment she blinked and looked at both Sam and Vincent sheepishly. “Um, pwease?”

“Oh hello there!” Jeanne said as she came out of the kitchen before looking at her son. “Vincent dear, if you would?”

With a nod and a flash, three plates were in front of the trio of ‘mon at the table, loaded down with Jeanne’s cooking and smelling delicious. Vincent hadn’t been aware that you could make syrup for pancakes out of Berries, but now that he’d tried some...

“Yay~” Aster cheered and opened her maw, aiming for the nearest plate. With almost tornado-like force, she sucked in the entire contents of the dish, swallowing it and belching cutely, all in the space of a second or two. The other ‘mon at the table blinked a few times before looking at one another.

“Come to think of it, we never did watch Wendy eat,” Vincent mentioned.

“Every time we tried, we woke up with scribbles on our faces,” Sam agreed.

The Bellossom just giggled and drew a little closer, just a little. “My, aren’t you a hungry one.”

“Yummy~” Aster giggled, and then turned to face Sam’s plate…

“Now now, dear,” Jeanne chided. “You’ve already had a serving. It’d be rude to take other’s food. You wouldn’t like it if they did that to you, would you?”

“...Nooo” Aster said, closing her mouth. “Can I have a drink please?”

“What would you like?” Vincent asked, holding up a glowing hand.

“Ummm?” Aster thought for a second. “There was something Mommy would always ask Papa Sala for, but no-one would ever tell me what it is!” She paused for a moment before reciting the words. “What’s... ‘The sweet nectar of love’? It sounds yummy~”

“...First Rika, then you,” Vincent muttered. “I’m beginning to think your entire family is out for my sanity. How about some juice?”

“Juice is good too,” Aster said. “Orange please!”

“I think we have some,” the Kadabra said with a nod. With a flash, a cup was on the table in front of the Whismur. Another moment saw the appearance of a container of orange juice, which filled her glass before returning back from wherever it came.

“I’ll get on making more for the rest,” Jeanne said with a smile. “Seeing as how our numbers seem to have increased by one for the morning.”

At that moment, a frantic banging could be heard on Vincent’s door. Bit, still being nearby, opened it and stuck his head out.

Seth was standing there, his fur was all over the place and he looked quite concerned. “Bit! Have you seen a Whismur around here!?”

The program shook his head a few times. “Negatory. No Whismur has been observed by this unit lately.”

Seth groaned, “Could you please ask everyone else here if a Whismur been spotted then?”

Bit rotated his head and was prepared to ask the question before spotting Aster at the table, drinking her juice. With a smile in his eyes, Bit rotated his disconnected head back around to reply to the Luxray. “No need. One has just been observed within.”

“Can I please come inside?” Seth asked.

“I am certain you are perfectly capable of the act of locomotion,” the Porygon responded, answering the question with absolute honesty.

“I am waaay too tired and stressed for this,” Seth muttered as he walked inside. “Aster? Are you here?”

“Unca Sethy!” Aster called from the kitchen. “I’m in here!” The Luxray walked into the kitchen to see Aster on the table, along with Sam and Vincent.

“There you are,” he sighed with relief. “We’ve been looking for you, how and why did you come here?”

“I was hungry and you was asleep,” Aster stated. “So I came here to get something. I didn’t want to wake you up cause you looked sleepy...”

Seth sighed and smiled as he nuzzled the little rabbit. “You’re very sweet and thoughtful Aster, but wake me up next time, we were very worried about you.”

“Kay,” Aster smiled. Seth turned to everyone else.

“Sorry about this guys. I hope she wasn’t any trouble.”

“She’s been a gem,” Sam said, softly rubbing between Aster’s ears with one claw.

“Plus we have a name for me and you to use,” Vincent tacked on. “Zinnia. Ring any bells?”

Seth pondered. “Sorry Vince, never heard of it before.” He looked down at Aster and smiled. “But I’ll try my hardest to find her okay?”

“M’kay,” Aster yawned. “M’sleepy... can we go home now?”

“Sure,” Seth replied and he placed the tired Whismur on his back. “Thanks for looking out for her guys.”

“Not a problem,” Vincent said with a wave of his coffee mug. “I can look for this ‘Zinnia’ in a moment. Need to eat, feed Lucy, and do a few things of that nature before I have a moment to spare.”

“I, on the other claw, have to go to work,” Sam said, getting up and placing on claw on Seth’s shoulder. “Take care, okay?”

“Will do, I might stop by before I go home as well. I need to see if that Sandslash friend of yours will part with some recipes for Fritter and Mocha.”

“So warn the hospital ahead of time, got it,” Sam chuckled as he made his way out the door.

Seth excused himself from the apartment and headed back to his own.

Christine had had enough of the fairy's 'jokes' for one lifetime. She shoved Rika onto her head and stomped downstairs, ignoring the protesting and pleading piece of headware. Once she arrived at the apartment Seth was using, she clapped eyes on Seth within moments. “Oh good, you’re here. Maybe now I can get some answers.”

Seth opened his eyes. “Yes Christine?” he said with all the enthusiasm of a Snorlax being asked to move.

“Well either this little fairy of yours is very bad at sexual jokes, or she actually wants to sleep with me, one of the two,” the landshark said, picking Rika off of her head and holding the Sylveon upside-down, to make her displeasure clear.

“So I’m bad at jokes, which Vincent made abundantly clear,” Rika pouted.

Seth sighed as he looked up from his spot on the carpet. “It’s Rika, I never know if she’s serious or not... but I know that a lot of Pokemon don’t have the same ‘single mate’ attachment that humans do.” He looked at Rika, “You love me don’t you?”

“With all my heart,” Rika replied. “I would never do anything to hurt you... and Chrissie is my best friend, and everyone else is throwing those stupid jokes around!”

Seth chuckled. “I know, and I also remember what you said in bed last night too.”

Rika suddenly turned bright red, but whether it was due to blood rushing to her head or a blush, well that was unknown.

“And I don’t mind, really!” Seth said. “Just because I’m not ready yet, doesn’t mean you two have to hold back either. Just be yourselves okay?”

Rika nodded as she squirmed to be turned right-side up. Christine relented slightly and grabbed her by the back of the neck, still not letting her go, but letting her orientation return to normal. And speaking of orientation…

“Okay, and while I’m not sure how much attachment I would have to a mate, should I ever get one, I will have you know that I know my own preferences, Rika. And as I keep informing you, it’s not my own gender.”

“Fine, I’ll stop teasing...” Rika said. “Everyone else makes jokes and its funny, I make jokes and ohh, I piss everyone off. Shocker!” Her tone turned surprisingly sarcastic, and it was one Christine had never heard from the Sylveon before.

“Rika, I’m not angry. I just wanted to make my stance perfectly clear. You would know if I was angry at you. You’d be on fire,” Christine stated bluntly. “Honestly, I can joke with the best of them, but when you start describing what you’re going to do to me, I have to put my claw down.”

Rika sighed, and after a bit of work, she used her ribbons to pry herself free. “It’s fine, I’m angry with myself... not you or anyone else. I just... I don’t know...” She suddenly ran from the room as Seth sighed.

“She can’t even see why she’s acting like that,” he looked up at Christine. “You know why, don’t you?”

“There are a few things that come to mind,” the dragon said. “But I think, give her a few minutes and approach with a gift of chocolate ice cream, and your little fairy will be willing to talk. And should.” Thinking on one of the plausible reasons, the dragon hastily added, “Though if it comes to a conclusion that involves a lot of noise, I will go out on tour of the city just to get away from all the sounds, I swear to Arceus.”

“I don’t think such drama is needed,” Seth replied, still laying on the floor. “She’ll be back any second now.” As if on cue, Rika walked back inside with as much dignity as she could muster.

“Want ice-cream, I have no money,” she said. “And Christine would get mad if I stole hers...”

“Rika,” Seth said firmly. “Do you not have anything to say to your friend?”

“Like what?” she replied. “That she just decides to stop avoiding me and be my best friend, right before we have to leave her here? Or that I’m probably not going to see her in forever? Or that no matter what I try to do to make her smile, I just screw up and make her uncomfortable instead!?” She was almost shouting by the end... And then seemed to realize that Christine was still standing there.

“Oh Ponyfeathers!”

Christine may not have been the most...sociable being, but she knew as if by instinct, and a lot of observation, a few of the things she needed to do. First, secure the target. With a quick swipe, the Sylveon was in her arms and being hugged against her chest.

Check. Second, weaken the target. The landshark looked over to Seth and nodded while mouthing the words ‘Ice cream,’ to him. He seemed to get the idea as he fetched some leftover ice-cream from the freezer. He brought it over to the dragon, a bit of curiosity evident on his face.

Check. Third, undermine the defenses. “Now who was it who told me about writing and letters? Heck, just because this place is going to be my new home, it doesn’t mean I’m bound to this spot.” The dragon shuddered a bit at some...uncomfortable memories surfacing, before she got herself under control. “Operating under those rules, what are Seth or Fritter or even you doing here, little fairy?” Christine beeped Rika’s nose with one claw as she finished her question.

Rika nodded as she leant into the hug. “I guess my emotions ran away with my sanity again,” she said as she forced a giggle. “M’still gonna miss you though...”

Check. Finally, killing blow. “And I you, Rika. Just because I don’t love you like a mate, doesn’t mean I don’t love you like a friend. Just keep in mind that not everyone can be as loving as you, as easily as you, okay? I like you just the way you are...and I’d prefer it if you stayed that way. Namely, intact.” With that, the ice-cream was scooted closer to the little Fairy. She’d probably need it at this point...

“I went too far... again,” Rika said as she poked at the dessert, not really in the mood to eat it anymore. “But if you still wanna be my friend... then I guess I’m both grateful and surprised.” She sighed and looked back at Seth. “I really don’t know how Sethy and Fritter deal with me...Maybe I am my father’s daughter...?”

“Hey, let’s not go overboard!” Seth quickly stomped on that particular thought. “We love you for you Rika... Always have and always will.”

Between Seth and Christine’s words... Rika just opened the floodgates and bawled. Soaking the dragon she was hugging enough that it turned her into a Water-type…

“After putting up with your family’s antics for as long as I did?” Christine chuckled as she kept gently petting Rika. “I’d have to either be crazy or your friend. And I’ve been crazy before, thanks. No desire to repeat the experience.”

“S-sorry,” Rika giggled in between sobs. “You’re m-my friend. Y-you’re nuts by default.”

“She’s got you there,” Seth chuckled until he realized what she’d said. “Hey, I’m dating you, so what does that make me?”

“Nuts squared,” Christine pitched in.

Rika giggled again, “But I thought his nuts were rounder?”

“I wouldn’t know, I’m not the one sleeping with him,” the dragon retorted.

“Ergh! And I open my mouth again,” Rika sighed. “Pass me the ice-cream. At least if I’m eating I’ll not say anything stupid.”

The ice cream was passed while the dragon kept talking. “See, the way you should have continued that would have been something like...’I wouldn’t know either, he’s being stingy!’ And then we could have ganged up on Seth for not being generous with his nuts.”

“You do raise an excellent point,” Rika said with a mouthful of ice-cream. “Sharing is caring!”

“I have you and Fritter, how much more sharing do I have to do?” Seth replied.

“Silly Seth,” Christine giggled. Actually giggled. “You’re not sharing enough of yourself with these fine ladies. Don’t they deserve some attention from you?” The place where most ‘mon would have eyebrows wiggled as the landshark talked.

Seth’s brain seemed to come to a screeching halt. Rika gave him a half-lidded stare and licked her lips. “I would have to agree Miss Chrissie... While I quite liked the Apple dessert, the main course must truly be... delicious!”

Seth backed away slowly, not taking his eyes off the pair. “And where do you think you’re going?” Christine said, carefully placing Rika and her bowl on the ground before standing up and stretching. “After all, one of your ladies is right here, pining for attention, young man.”

“Ahh...” Seth’s cognitive thought was apparently AWOL. “Wha?”

Rika blinked, her eyes shining as she used Baby-Doll Eyes. “Sethy? You’re so mean~”

“Not to worry, dear. I’m certain we can find some rope somewhere in this apartment, and you can extract some attention from him once he can’t get away.” Christine’s grin was almost as wide as her face.

“Oh but Chrissie,” Rika said as she flexed her ribbons. “Why do we need rope?”

Seth leapt over the two and through the door, crashing into the opposite wall before the sounds of him falling down a few flights of stairs echoed through the apartment. Rika blinked, turned to the door and then burst out laughing.

“Oh. My. Arceus... Did you see his face!?” She couldn’t breathe she was laughing so hard. Christine was in a similar boat, laughing through the tears.

“And for future reference,” the Gabite managed to get out, “Your ribbons are a part of you, that’s why we need rope. One good shock and you’re out for the count. Rope has no such connection.”

“Aw, but I have good special defense,” Rika said. “And maybe some light shocks might feel good~”

“When he’s in fight or flight mode like that, I’m pretty sure ‘light’ isn’t in his arsenal,” Christine warned. “Until he gets used to the teasing...and you get a little bit better at dishing it out,” here the dragon beeped the fairy’s nose, “then you’re going to want to make sure that when he runs for it, you aren’t blocking too many exits.”

“That’s a good point...” Rika noted. “Well, now that Sethy can’t play anymore. Wanna do something before I have to leave?”

“You, little lady, are going to learn how best to tease your lion before you have to go,” Christine said, sitting down and putting Rika in her lap.

“Only you get to treat me like this,” Rika said as she got comfortable. “Last time someone called me a pet... I broke them.” She reached out with her ribbons and grabbed the ice-cream and another spoon, before offering Christine some. “Start the lesson teacher!”

“And the last time someone tried to catch me, their Snorlax launched them into the stratosphere,” Christine said with a smile before humming. “Let’s see...how about we start with some highlights from what Sam was taught and build on that so that you know how best to tease your feline?...”

All good things had to come to an end though, and Seth’s family was preparing to leave Las Pegasus. Rika refused to let go of Christine, as said dragon tried prying her off with a crowbar. Aster sat happily on Fritter’s back while Seth spoke with Vincent.

“Well, thanks for letting us stay... and sorry about the dramas we caused, directly or indirectly...”

“Not a big deal,” Vincent said. “You shoulda been here when I just got here.” The Kadabra whistled and chuckled at the memories. “I’ve done worse, believe me.” Upon taking notice of the Whismur, Vincent remembered his earlier promise. “Oh, Aster?”

“Yeah Big Bro?” she asked with a sweetness that no sugar could ever hope to match.

“Wanna watch me look for your mom?” Vincent raised a glowing blue arm as he talked, already drawing on the power needed for his Ping technique.

“Do I?” she jumped down from Fritter’s back and waddled over to him. He gently bent down and offered his non-glowing hand to her, an unspoken invitation to get a little closer to the action if she wanted.

She took his hand and gulped, before Vincent scooped her up and cradled her against his chest armor.

“Where are you Mommy?” Vincent heard her think. “I miss you!”

Shh, Vincent whispered into her mind. Don’t worry, we’re about to look. I’m strong, but not strong enough to search everywhere, little one. But if she’s in this city, I will find her...unless she’s something that is immune to Psychic, of course.

“Big Bro is in my head~” Aster giggled.

Yup, Vincent laughed back. Now, Zinnia is her name, right? I can look for her, sure...but I want you to do something special as well. Think you’re up for it?

“What do you want me to do?” Aster asked.

Think about your mommy. Think about all the good times you’ve ever had with her. Think about how much you love her. Do that, and no matter the type she ended up as, we should get something, if she’s here. No love is stronger than a mother’s for her child, and it can cut across all barriers if you but reach out to it.

“Okay...” Aster thought hard as images flashed through Vincent’s head. Of a young girl crying as she held a newly hatched Whismur, of the same girl, older this time as she battled a faceless trainer. The times when the pair would share a picnic, or play hide and seek at the Falls.

Then the images of the girl, now a young woman as she ran through some kind of lab, garbed in a red hood. The woman as she plucked the Key Stone of a fallen trainer, and then as she stood before Rayquaza, her crimson eyes blazing with furious determination.

My word, that’s a lot! Okay, here I go…

Vincent took a deep breath and added Aster’s memories to the mix of his technique, deciding to spice it up a little as well. Zinnia! We call to you! Should you be in this city, answer us! Both myself...and your daughter!

“MOMMY!” Aster called out, before the wave of near-invisible blue light rushed away from them. The pair waited for ten seconds, as the power of both Vincent and Aster’s memories pushed the technique to new heights…

...new heights that were sadly, fruitless. It rebounded, carrying no new information back to either one of them. Vincent sighed, dejected that nothing happened. “I’m sorry, Aster. But she’s not in Las Pegasus.”

Aster remained silent for a moment. “It’s... okay Big Bro... thank you for trying...”

Unbeknownst to them, a lithe Dragonite sat on a cloud, as a feeling of nostalgia and great loss washed over her. Her crimson eyes closed as the memories played over in her mind... until she opened them again, looking at a city she could not see. Spreading her wings, she soared into the air and shot off into the wide, blue sky.

“I’ll find you...”

Seth waited as the pair finished their search. “So no luck then?” he asked as Aster climbed back up onto Fritter’s back. “It’s alright, we’ll find her. One way or another.”

“Well considering I just did my Ping while in such a close proximity to her, it’s highly likely that if you run across any Psychic you feel you can trust, they could make their own, similar technique from watching her memories and do a search there as well.” Vincent stated as though it were all rather simple. He’d really rather they avoid going straight to the top for as long as possible...he didn’t really have a lot of faith in a certain god ever since he failed to punish a certain ambassador.

“Right, thanks for the advice...” Seth said as Christine finally freed herself of Rika’s deathgrip.

“Aww... Oh! But you guys totally have to come to the Contest!” Rika said, bouncing up and down. “It’s gonna be AMAZING!!”

“Ah, there is that,” Seth said. “The Contest is scheduled for 5 days from now, I really hope you guys can make it. I know I could use Bit’s help with all the tech that I’ll need to set up.”

“I’ll make sure Bit goes at least,” Vincent said with a nod. “Sam?”

The Scizor shook his head. “Mary believes in a week’s notice before I get any time off. So I can’t go. And depending on circumstances, the program might be the only one that gets to.” The Scizor was of course referring to Lucy’s current state.

“Plus you can’t flirt with Lala either,” Selena pointed out.

“Well, I hope some of you can make it at least,” Seth said. “If you can’t, I’ll be sure to send you a recording of it.”

The train gave a sharp whistle, signalling that it was almost time to leave. “It certainly been as fun as always Vincent,” Seth mused as he held out a paw. “Until we meet again then?”

“Of course, friend,” Vincent replied while giving Seth’s paw a firm shake. “And hey, if you run into Gene, Abby, Sev, or Weiss, say hi for me? I consider them friends...or in the case of a certain snake, friendly enough.”

“Rika’s father? Yeah... he and I have a ‘we tolerate each other for Rika’s sake’ relationship... But don’t worry. I’ll do that. Oh and Captain Ace might be doing some recruiting for a Pokemon Guard here soon, maybe keep an eye out for potential candidates?”

“I’ll try to remember that,” Vincent said as the train whistled again. “But you all better get on, now!”

“Right,” Seth grabbed Rika by the scruff of the neck as she tried to drag Christine with them. Fritter was already onboard, after giving Sam a recipes to give to Jeanne and Mary. Soon, they were all waving from the train windows as it pulled away from the station, and off to home, where many more surprises awaited them...