Sada almost fell asleep while waiting for Arven to wake up. She distracted herself by sitting in the see-through chair by his bed and the window and studying the Violet Book again. She paid close attention to the chapters about the Future Pokémon and the ones Turo added about Infrared.
Miraidon dozed off at the foot of Arven’s bed. Sada let him sleep. As Arven’s mother, she needed to stay awake.
Finally, he stirred and slowly opened his eyes. “Mom?” was the first thing he asked in a weak voice.
“I’m here, Arven.” Sada shut the book and put it back in her coat. She picked up her chair and slid closer to Arven’s head. She caressed his hair and gripped his hand with her free one.
Arven turned his head and looked at her. “What happened?”
“You got sick, so Miraidon and I brought you to the hospital.”
“What about my friends?”
“They went to heal Nemona’s Meowscarada and should be here soon.” Sada started to remove her hand from Arven’s, but he grabbed it back.
“Penny was right,” spoke his choked voice. “It’s Broken Heart Syndrome, isn’t it?”
“Yeah.” Sada squeezed his hand. “The doctors diagnosed it. They’re going to keep you here overnight and release you tomorrow.”
“Thank gosh. I don’t wanna be here.”
“I don’t think anyone does.” Sada chuckled at her joke.
Arven inhaled. “Where’s Miraidon?”
“He’s asleep at the foot of your bed—the little booger. Or, big booger.”
“What about Mabosstiff?”
Sada stood from her chair. “Do you want me to get him for you?”
“Yes, please.”
On her way to Arven’s vest that hung on a coat rack with his knapsack, Sada noticed him staring at her belly. “You okay, Ven?” she inquired, stopping at the coat rack.
He sat up. “Is it true?”
“Is what true?” Sada unzipped one of the pockets on Arven’s vest and pulled out Mabosstiff’s pokéball.
“You know what I mean, Mom. Am I really going to be a big brother?”
Sada seized up but took a deep breath and returned to Arven. “You are.” She handed him Mabosstiff’s pokéball and propped up his pillows.
“But how? It’s only been a month.”
“Time works differently in the past, present, and future. It may be a month in your time, Ven, but it’s been longer in mine.” Sada plopped back down in her chair. “Believe me, son, I didn’t want it to happen, but your dad deceived me.”
“So, you’re not a full-fledged AI?”
“Not anymore. Turo turned me into a cyborg.”
Arven gritted his teeth. “That son of a—”
“Watch your language, kid.” Sada tucked Arven in and caressed his hair some more.
For a few minutes, he was silent, and then he asked, “Boy or girl? Honestly, Mom, I want a sister.”
Sada tittered. “Miraidon and I are at war with this. He thinks it’s a boy, but I think it’s a girl.”
Arven shuffled a bit and blushed. “Can-Can I see her?”
“Of course.” Sada turned in her chair and unbuttoned her lab coat. She removed it and set it on her lap.
At the sight of her belly, Arven smiled. “Wow.” He lifted his hand and moved it toward Sada’s bump, but he reeled back. “Can I—? No, I’m sorry.”
“You can touch her. She’s eager to meet you.” It finally looked like Arven’s shock had set in. Sada turned again and offered him her belly.
His hand shook slightly, but Arven rested it over her belly button. The second he did, it stopped trembling, and he whispered, “Hi there. I’m your big brother, Arven.” He poked one side of Sada’s bump. “Is this your hand? Mom, can I name her? Please?”
Sada nodded. “I think she would like that. You’re going to be a great big brother, Arven.” She let Arven stroke her belly a little longer before she put her coat back on and buttoned it. Right when she did, the door to his room opened.
The male doctor from before, a female one, a nurse, and two security guards appeared in the doorway. Two robotic-looking Pokémon that resembled Hariyama stood on either side of them. They held their mechanical, large hands up, and their eyes flashed.
“Whoa, who brought the party?” Sada inquired, standing. She fixed her eyes on the group.
The male doctor pointed at her and gestured at the guards. “There it is.”
“It”? No one called Sada an “it”!
Arven grasped her hand. “Mom, what’s going on?”
“I-I don’t know.”
“I’m sorry, Ms. Sada,” the male doctor elucidated, “but according to law, because the child’s mother is deceased, we need to turn him over to his next of kin—his father.”
“What?” Sada and Arven said at the same time.
Arven glared at Sada. “You told them?”
She stiffened again. “I couldn’t lie, Arven.” Why should it matter that she was an AI? She was still Arven’s mother.
The Hariyama-like Pokémon walked past Miraidon, who cried out when they accidentally stepped on his foot. He snapped open his eyes and hopped up.
“What’s the meaning of this?” Sada pushed the Future Pokémon away from her. “I’m his mother.”
“No, you’re not.” The doctor shook his head. “We’ve tracked down the boy’s father, and he’s coming to get him tomorrow.”
“Oh!” Sada scoffed. “That’s BS! I have every right to be Arven’s mother.”
“Ma’am, we’re asking you to leave—for the child’s protection.”
“That’s BS!”
“Mom…” Arven tightened his grip on her.
She stood her ground. “I’m not going anywhere, Ven. These lunatics don’t know what they’re talking about.”
The doctor scowled at her. “Ma’am, either we do this the easy way or the hard way. Your choice. We will not hesitate to call the police about a rogue robot.”
“I’m not a robot! I am a human, and I’m not leaving my child’s side!” Sada’s brows narrowed, and her eyes flashed like the Future Hariyama.
Arven glanced at her, breathing heavily. “Mom, I’m scared.” Coughing, he clutched his chest.
The female doctor went to him and checked his heart with her stethoscope. “Get the rogue robot out of here,” she said. “She’s stressing him out.”
“No, she’s not!” Miraidon growled, almost changing into his battle form. “You guys are! Sada’s done nothing wrong!”
The security guards followed the Future Pokémons’ footsteps and snatched Sada’s crystallized arms.
“Ow!” she yelled, eyes returning to normal. “Let go of me!”
“Agias!” Miraidon snatched one of the guard’s pant sleeves and tugged on it. He ripped off a chunk of it.
“Let go, you mangy beast!” The guard kicked Miraidon off him. He, the second guard, and the Future Pokémon forced him and Sada out of Arven’s room.
“Mom!” he shouted from behind. “Mom, come back! I don’t want to go with Dad!”
“You don’t understand—his father will hurt him,” Sada told the guards.
They paid her no attention and dragged her to the hospital’s enormous lobby. Sada’s boots left skid-like marks on the tile.
People and Pokémon stopped what they were doing and stared at her and the guards. A few poked their heads out of the hospital’s gift shop.
Its front doors opened, and the guards threw Sada into the parking lot.
She stumbled, almost falling, but she waved her arms and caught herself.
The Future Pokémon booted Miraidon out right behind her.
“Gias!” he cursed. “Agias, gias!”
“And stay away!” the guards snapped. “If we ever find you two on hospital property again, we will call the police. Arven is under the care of his father now. As for you two, return to the lab, where you belong.”
With those words, the hospital’s doors closed, and they and the Pokémon disappeared inside.
“Bastards!” Sada’s eyes flashed again. “You have no right to do this!” She never knew there was such a thing as extreme anger until now.
“Sada, try to calm down,” she heard Miraidon say, flustered, too. “I know you’re angry, but you can’t endanger the baby. We’ll figure something out. I promise.”
Sada considered his words. He was right. Her baby—she had to protect her. Arven’s words re-entered her mind. “Stiff, relaxed,” she said, and her eyes stopped glowing. “I’m calm. I’m calm.” Sada grasped her tummy. “I’m sorry, little one if I scared you. I promise that you’re going to see your brother.” She fixed her eyes on the hospital. “They should not have treated us like that. We’re a family, and family sticks together.”
“They certainly do.” Sada jumped at the sound of Kenji’s voice and whirled around. There he was.
Kenji and his Partner Pokémon stood a few feet apart from Sada and Miraidon. “Hello, beautiful AI!” he said, opening his arms.
Sada felt herself blush. It was a weird emotion: fluttery and nerve-wracking, for sure. “What are you doing here?” she squeaked. “How did you find me?”
“I heard an AI was loose at the hospital, so I came to check it out. I didn’t expect it to be you.” Kenji stepped closer to Sada. “So, you’re pregnant, huh? That certainly is a breakthrough in AI technology. It looks like Turo finally created his cyborg.”
Anger flashed across Sada’s face. “How do you know him?”
“Simple.” Kenji shrugged. “He and I were partners before he went all ballistic. I convinced Celebi to travel to the present and pick up Arven.”
“Wait, it was you?” Sada pointed at him. “I thought Celebi did it on its own.”
“Well, Celebi was definitely worried, so we tried to figure something out together. But enough of that.” Kenji straightened his posture. “I’m going to help you get your son back, Sada.”
She didn’t smile, laugh, or cheer. Instead, she suspiciously twitched her nose, making it appear older than it was.
Seeing her reaction, Kenji folded his arms. “You don’t trust me?”
Sada’s nose loosened, and she explained, “Kenji, I just got kicked out of the hospital because I’m an AI. Aside from that, on top of Infrared, Turo artificially impregnated me the last time I was here. I don’t know who to trust anymore, to be honest.”
“Well, I’m telling you that you can,” Kenji said, dropping his arms. “Come, let me take you to my lab, and we can go from there. Are you hungry?”
“I rarely eat, Kenji,” answered Sada. “I’m an AI.”
“Well, you have to be caring for the baby somehow. I’m curious to know your secret.”
“See, this is what I mean!” Sada waved her hand. “If you take me to your lab, you’ll experiment on me! I’ve had enough of this! I’m not a science experiment!”
Kenji cringed and reeled back. “I’m sorry—that came out wrong. I understand, but I’m sure your Pokémon is hungry.”
“No, he’s not.” Sada placed her hands on her hips and tilted her chin back. “Right, Miraidon?”
Only, Miraidon pranced past her and sat in front of Kenji. His face drooped, and his blue eyes widened. He stuck out his long, pink tongue and whined, “Gias.”
Kenji patted Miraidon’s head. “I beg to differ. This little fellow is starving.”
“Seriously, Miraidon?” asked Sada. “I thought you didn’t trust him!”
“I don’t, but I do want some food,” he replied. He brought his four legs close together and hopped up and down. “Pokémon food! Pokémon food!” While he jumped, he switched his focus between Sada and Kenji. It was like he was asking Kenji for food and Sada for permission.
“Okay, fine,” Sada finally said. “You can take us to your lab, Kenji, but if you try one little experiment on me or my baby, there will be consequences.” She offered him her hand. “Deal?”
“Deal,” he said, shaking it. “Let’s get this show on the road!”
Sada almost fell asleep while waiting for Arven to wake up. She distracted herself by sitting in the see-through chair by his bed and the window and studying the Violet Book again. She paid close attention to the chapters about the Future Pokémon and the ones Turo added about Infrared.
Miraidon dozed off at the foot of Arven’s bed. Sada let him sleep. As Arven’s mother, she needed to stay awake.
Finally, he stirred and slowly opened his eyes. “Mom?” was the first thing he asked in a weak voice.
“I’m here, Arven.” Sada shut the book and put it back in her coat. She picked up her chair and slid closer to Arven’s head. She caressed his hair and gripped his hand with her free one.
Arven turned his head and looked at her. “What happened?”
“You got sick, so Miraidon and I brought you to the hospital.”
“What about my friends?”
“They went to heal Nemona’s Meowscarada and should be here soon.” Sada started to remove her hand from Arven’s, but he grabbed it back.
“Penny was right,” spoke his choked voice. “It’s Broken Heart Syndrome, isn’t it?”
“Yeah.” Sada squeezed his hand. “The doctors diagnosed it. They’re going to keep you here overnight and release you tomorrow.”
“Thank gosh. I don’t wanna be here.”
“I don’t think anyone does.” Sada chuckled at her joke.
Arven inhaled. “Where’s Miraidon?”
“He’s asleep at the foot of your bed—the little booger. Or, big booger.”
“What about Mabosstiff?”
Sada stood from her chair. “Do you want me to get him for you?”
“Yes, please.”
On her way to Arven’s vest that hung on a coat rack with his knapsack, Sada noticed him staring at her belly. “You okay, Ven?” she inquired, stopping at the coat rack.
He sat up. “Is it true?”
“Is what true?” Sada unzipped one of the pockets on Arven’s vest and pulled out Mabosstiff’s pokéball.
“You know what I mean, Mom. Am I really going to be a big brother?”
Sada seized up but took a deep breath and returned to Arven. “You are.” She handed him Mabosstiff’s pokéball and propped up his pillows.
“But how? It’s only been a month.”
“Time works differently in the past, present, and future. It may be a month in your time, Ven, but it’s been longer in mine.” Sada plopped back down in her chair. “Believe me, son, I didn’t want it to happen, but your dad deceived me.”
“So, you’re not a full-fledged AI?”
“Not anymore. Turo turned me into a cyborg.”
Arven gritted his teeth. “That son of a—”
“Watch your language, kid.” Sada tucked Arven in and caressed his hair some more.
For a few minutes, he was silent, and then he asked, “Boy or girl? Honestly, Mom, I want a sister.”
Sada tittered. “Miraidon and I are at war with this. He thinks it’s a boy, but I think it’s a girl.”
Arven shuffled a bit and blushed. “Can-Can I see her?”
“Of course.” Sada turned in her chair and unbuttoned her lab coat. She removed it and set it on her lap.
At the sight of her belly, Arven smiled. “Wow.” He lifted his hand and moved it toward Sada’s bump, but he reeled back. “Can I—? No, I’m sorry.”
“You can touch her. She’s eager to meet you.” It finally looked like Arven’s shock had set in. Sada turned again and offered him her belly.
His hand shook slightly, but Arven rested it over her belly button. The second he did, it stopped trembling, and he whispered, “Hi there. I’m your big brother, Arven.” He poked one side of Sada’s bump. “Is this your hand? Mom, can I name her? Please?”
Sada nodded. “I think she would like that. You’re going to be a great big brother, Arven.” She let Arven stroke her belly a little longer before she put her coat back on and buttoned it. Right when she did, the door to his room opened.
The male doctor from before, a female one, a nurse, and two security guards appeared in the doorway. Two robotic-looking Pokémon that resembled Hariyama stood on either side of them. They held their mechanical, large hands up, and their eyes flashed.
“Whoa, who brought the party?” Sada inquired, standing. She fixed her eyes on the group.
The male doctor pointed at her and gestured at the guards. “There it is.”
“It”? No one called Sada an “it”!
Arven grasped her hand. “Mom, what’s going on?”
“I-I don’t know.”
“I’m sorry, Ms. Sada,” the male doctor elucidated, “but according to law, because the child’s mother is deceased, we need to turn him over to his next of kin—his father.”
“What?” Sada and Arven said at the same time.
Arven glared at Sada. “You told them?”
She stiffened again. “I couldn’t lie, Arven.” Why should it matter that she was an AI? She was still Arven’s mother.
The Hariyama-like Pokémon walked past Miraidon, who cried out when they accidentally stepped on his foot. He snapped open his eyes and hopped up.
“What’s the meaning of this?” Sada pushed the Future Pokémon away from her. “I’m his mother.”
“No, you’re not.” The doctor shook his head. “We’ve tracked down the boy’s father, and he’s coming to get him tomorrow.”
“Oh!” Sada scoffed. “That’s BS! I have every right to be Arven’s mother.”
“Ma’am, we’re asking you to leave—for the child’s protection.”
“That’s BS!”
“Mom…” Arven tightened his grip on her.
She stood her ground. “I’m not going anywhere, Ven. These lunatics don’t know what they’re talking about.”
The doctor scowled at her. “Ma’am, either we do this the easy way or the hard way. Your choice. We will not hesitate to call the police about a rogue robot.”
“I’m not a robot! I am a human, and I’m not leaving my child’s side!” Sada’s brows narrowed, and her eyes flashed like the Future Hariyama.
Arven glanced at her, breathing heavily. “Mom, I’m scared.” Coughing, he clutched his chest.
The female doctor went to him and checked his heart with her stethoscope. “Get the rogue robot out of here,” she said. “She’s stressing him out.”
“No, she’s not!” Miraidon growled, almost changing into his battle form. “You guys are! Sada’s done nothing wrong!”
The security guards followed the Future Pokémons’ footsteps and snatched Sada’s crystallized arms.
“Ow!” she yelled, eyes returning to normal. “Let go of me!”
“Agias!” Miraidon snatched one of the guard’s pant sleeves and tugged on it. He ripped off a chunk of it.
“Let go, you mangy beast!” The guard kicked Miraidon off him. He, the second guard, and the Future Pokémon forced him and Sada out of Arven’s room.
“Mom!” he shouted from behind. “Mom, come back! I don’t want to go with Dad!”
“You don’t understand—his father will hurt him,” Sada told the guards.
They paid her no attention and dragged her to the hospital’s enormous lobby. Sada’s boots left skid-like marks on the tile.
People and Pokémon stopped what they were doing and stared at her and the guards. A few poked their heads out of the hospital’s gift shop.
Its front doors opened, and the guards threw Sada into the parking lot.
She stumbled, almost falling, but she waved her arms and caught herself.
The Future Pokémon booted Miraidon out right behind her.
“Gias!” he cursed. “Agias, gias!”
“And stay away!” the guards snapped. “If we ever find you two on hospital property again, we will call the police. Arven is under the care of his father now. As for you two, return to the lab, where you belong.”
With those words, the hospital’s doors closed, and they and the Pokémon disappeared inside.
“Bastards!” Sada’s eyes flashed again. “You have no right to do this!” She never knew there was such a thing as extreme anger until now.
“Sada, try to calm down,” she heard Miraidon say, flustered, too. “I know you’re angry, but you can’t endanger the baby. We’ll figure something out. I promise.”
Sada considered his words. He was right. Her baby—she had to protect her. Arven’s words re-entered her mind. “Stiff, relaxed,” she said, and her eyes stopped glowing. “I’m calm. I’m calm.” Sada grasped her tummy. “I’m sorry, little one if I scared you. I promise that you’re going to see your brother.” She fixed her eyes on the hospital. “They should not have treated us like that. We’re a family, and family sticks together.”
“They certainly do.” Sada jumped at the sound of Kenji’s voice and whirled around. There he was.
Kenji and his Partner Pokémon stood a few feet apart from Sada and Miraidon. “Hello, beautiful AI!” he said, opening his arms.
Sada felt herself blush. It was a weird emotion: fluttery and nerve-wracking, for sure. “What are you doing here?” she squeaked. “How did you find me?”
“I heard an AI was loose at the hospital, so I came to check it out. I didn’t expect it to be you.” Kenji stepped closer to Sada. “So, you’re pregnant, huh? That certainly is a breakthrough in AI technology. It looks like Turo finally created his cyborg.”
Anger flashed across Sada’s face. “How do you know him?”
“Simple.” Kenji shrugged. “He and I were partners before he went all ballistic. I convinced Celebi to travel to the present and pick up Arven.”
“Wait, it was you?” Sada pointed at him. “I thought Celebi did it on its own.”
“Well, Celebi was definitely worried, so we tried to figure something out together. But enough of that.” Kenji straightened his posture. “I’m going to help you get your son back, Sada.”
She didn’t smile, laugh, or cheer. Instead, she suspiciously twitched her nose, making it appear older than it was.
Seeing her reaction, Kenji folded his arms. “You don’t trust me?”
Sada’s nose loosened, and she explained, “Kenji, I just got kicked out of the hospital because I’m an AI. Aside from that, on top of Infrared, Turo artificially impregnated me the last time I was here. I don’t know who to trust anymore, to be honest.”
“Well, I’m telling you that you can,” Kenji said, dropping his arms. “Come, let me take you to my lab, and we can go from there. Are you hungry?”
“I rarely eat, Kenji,” answered Sada. “I’m an AI.”
“Well, you have to be caring for the baby somehow. I’m curious to know your secret.”
“See, this is what I mean!” Sada waved her hand. “If you take me to your lab, you’ll experiment on me! I’ve had enough of this! I’m not a science experiment!”
Kenji cringed and reeled back. “I’m sorry—that came out wrong. I understand, but I’m sure your Pokémon is hungry.”
“No, he’s not.” Sada placed her hands on her hips and tilted her chin back. “Right, Miraidon?”
Only, Miraidon pranced past her and sat in front of Kenji. His face drooped, and his blue eyes widened. He stuck out his long, pink tongue and whined, “Gias.”
Kenji patted Miraidon’s head. “I beg to differ. This little fellow is starving.”
“Seriously, Miraidon?” asked Sada. “I thought you didn’t trust him!”
“I don’t, but I do want some food,” he replied. He brought his four legs close together and hopped up and down. “Pokémon food! Pokémon food!” While he jumped, he switched his focus between Sada and Kenji. It was like he was asking Kenji for food and Sada for permission.
“Okay, fine,” Sada finally said. “You can take us to your lab, Kenji, but if you try one little experiment on me or my baby, there will be consequences.” She offered him her hand. “Deal?”
“Deal,” he said, shaking it. “Let’s get this show on the road!”
