(The Next Day)

I woke up in our room at the Pokémon Center in Sandgem Town. I looked at the alarm clock on the nightstand, which read 6:45. The moon was barely sitting above the trees outside, and I was ready to start the day. I removed my covers and slipped on my clothes. I went into the small bathroom and splashed water on my face to wake me up, before brushing my teeth and hair.

I then grabbed a box on the side of the sink, one that was full of color contacts. Lucas thought that my eyes would be the cause of some discrimination against me, so he got me a box of green color contacts. I placed a set in my eyes, and after blinking a few times, I was amazed when I looked at my reflection. I quickly went back into the room and took my mother's picture out of my bag. When I looked at the picture, then at my reflection, I was amazed to see how similar I looked to my mom.

I quickly put the picture in my pocket, preventing tears from escaping my eyes, and left the bathroom. I slung one backpack strap around my arm and left the room, walking into the lobby of the Pokémon Center. Nurse Joy was already at the desk, waiting to take an incoming trainer's Pokémon and heal them. I walked into the back area and sat down at a table. I took out the wallet that Dawn had given me and took out a bit of money.

I sent out Rusty, my Flash Pokémon's blue fur messy from his fight last night. I took out the hairbrush and began to brush his fur as we talked. :So, what would you like to eat?: *Good question, do we have anymore macaroni?* :No, we finished it all last night.:

I wish that he didn't mention macaroni, as it only made me more hungry. He was referring to Dan's macaroni recipe, which he slipped into my bag when I went to learn how to read with Lucas. Dawn made it for us last night, and we couldn't get enough of it. *Well, I guess I'll just have some Pokémon food.* I nodded to Rusty and walked to the lady behind the cash register.

"Hello, how may I help you today," the cashier asked me. "I would like a can of Pokémon food and a cream cheese danish, please." She nodded and handed me the items. "Um, do you have a can opener," I asked sheepishly. She chuckled and handed me said device.

I walked back to my table, objects in hand, and I took out a food bowl Barry got me for Rusty. I opened the can and poured the contents into Rusty's food bowl. :Here's your breakfast,: I told him as I rubbed his head. He proceeded to eat as I returned the can opener. "Hey, aren't you Melody's kid," the cashier asked.

"Y-yes, I am, why do you ask?" "Well, I was just wondering. It's been over a decade since anyone's seen you." "Yes, I guess it has been." "So, if you're fine with me asking, do you remember anything about your parents?"

I thought back to my flashback, and how I said I missed my mother's singing. "I-I remember that my mother was a good singer." "Oh, good doesn't even begin to describe it. Your mother was the most amazing singer I've ever heard. Her voice was so beautiful, it could bring the toughest of men to near tears."

"Wow, really? She sounds amazing. I wonder if I could ever match up to her," I said, tears flowing into the corners of my eyes. Rusty noticed this and walked over to me, rubbing his head on my jean leg. I picked him up and held him in my arms, scratching him under the chin.

"Jasmine, I'm sorry, I didn't mean to make you cry." "No, it's fine, ma'am. I'll...leave you to your work." I walked back to my table, set Rusty down, and ate my breakfast. After I was done, I disposed of my trash, returned Rusty, washed out Rusty's food bowl, and walked out of the Pokémon Center and onto the sandy shore of Route 219.

I sat down on the sand, the waters of the ocean so close to touching my legs. "Mom, where are you? I wish I knew who you were. Everyone else knows so much about you, and yet, I know almost nothing." I sat on the shores, crying, when another memory came flooding back, as the sun began to rise above the horizon.

(Flashback Begin)

"Jasmine, you can't stay in there forever," my mother told me through my door. "Yes I can, and I will! I'm never coming out, maybe no one will have to see my eyes again," I said. "Jasmine, just because a few people told you they don't like something about you, that doesn't mean that you should hide away forever."

I just laid against my bed, my head in my knees. "Jasmine, if someone is telling you those things, you shouldn't be friends with them. It's like that person on TV always says, 'You're perfect just the way you are.' You pink eyes may be weird, but they're something that makes you special." I got up and opened the door to my bedroom, before hugging my mother.

"Mommy, why am I like this? You don't have pink eyes, and daddy doesn't either. If I got my hair color from you, who did I get my eye color from?" "Well, Jasmine, not everything has a reason, somethings just happen by circumstance. You wanna sing?" I nodded, and we began to sing a song.

"It's a beautiful day in this neighborhood,

A beautiful day for a neighbor,

Would you be mine, could you be mine?

It's a neighborly day in this beauty wood,

A neighborly day for a beauty,

Would you be mine, could you be mine?

I've always wanted to have a neighbor just like you,

I've always wanted to live in a neighborhood with you!

So, let's make the most of this beautiful day,

Since we're together, we might as well say,

Would you be mine, could you be mine, won't you be my neighbor?

Won't you please, won't you please?

Please won't you be, my neighbor?"

(Flashback End)

When I came back to reality, I realized that I had been singing that song when I heard it in flashback, and I wasn't alone when I did. "Jasmine, was that you?" I turned around and saw Lucas staring at me. "L-Lucas, h-how long were you listening?" "Since you started singing, Jasmine."

I quickly stood up, my face getting hotter and hotter by the second. Lucas just smiled and walked over to me. "Jasmine, there's no need to be embarrassed, you sounded amazing." "R-really? Y-you aren't just saying that?"

"No, Jasmine, I'm not just saying that. That was one of the most beautiful things I've ever heard." "W-well, thank you, L-Lucas. I wasn't sure about doing it, but I'm glad I made a good first impression." "Well, shall we go back to the Pokémon Center?"

"I don't know, I think I'll take in the sights of the sea a bit longer." "Okay then, I'll get Barry and Dawn ready, and come back and get you." "Sounds like a plan, see ya in a bit!" Lucas walked back into Sandgem Town, as I sat back down on the ground. "Arceus, if you're listening, please keep my mother safe, please."

(15 Minutes Later)

"Hey, there you are," Barry greeted me as my friends walked into Route 219. "So, you ready to go," Dawn asked. "Yeah, I guess so," I said, propping myself off the rock walls of the route. "Man, how do you stay so calm in this heat? It's absolutely sweltering," Barry told me, wiping sweat off his forehead.

"What, you're serious? I never even noticed! I've felt the same today as I have yesterday!" I then felt what felt like an arrow go through my head, and I fell to my hands and knees, shaking. Then, a voice that sounded like it was right in my ears, yet came from nowhere said, :Hello, Jasmine, nice to meet you.:

:What the, who are you? Why are you doing this?: :Well, Jasmine, in a way, I'm you. I'm a part of you, I always have been, you're only noticing my presence now. So, did you like remembering that time with your mother?:

:Wait, you saw that flashback?: :Oh no, far from it, Jasmine. I was the one who sent it to you. It was the least I could do for you. After that woman at the Pokémon Center caused you to pine for your mother, I felt that it was the only thing I could do to help.:

:Then why didn't you do that before? If you've always been a part of me, why didn't you help me keep my memories?: :Jasmine, I don't know everything. Like you, I'm still learning about myself. I don't know why I was mostly dormant inside you for all your prisoner years, but life isn't always made up of answers.:

:Oh, well then. I guess we'll both be learning about each other on this journey. Now, please go away, I have stuff to do.: :You forget Jasmine, I'm part of you. We are two sides of the same coin, and neither of us are going away...:

My convulsions ceased, and the feeling in my head left. "Jasmine, what's wrong," Lucas asked frantically. "N-nothing, it's fine," I lied. "No, it's not, Jasmine, tell us what happened." "Well, we have a new traveling partner."

"What does that mean," Barry asked. "Well, when I fell to the ground, a voice started speaking to me. It said that it had always been a part of me, and that it was the reason that I had a flashback of a moment I had with my mother. I can't hear it right now, but it's still there, still a part of me." :Wow, nice explanation.:

"Well, can you still go on," Dawn asked. "Of course I can! Shall we head to the next city?" They all nodded, and we took off for Route 202. We were headed to Jubilife City, where we could stay for a day or two and wait out the heat.

We made it to Jubilife in a few hours. It would have been faster if we didn't have to stop so much. My friends didn't handle the heat too well, and it caused them to go much slower. But, we eventually made it, and I was in awe with the sights. Every other place I had been was more peaceful and quiet, but Jubilife City was a loud and bright city, with tall buildings and many flashing billboards that grabbed my attention and only let go when something else made it.

I walked around, looking at the sights, when I heard someone playing a song. I looked over and saw a man, maybe in his late 20's and wearing a black fedora, playing songs on his guitar. He was in the middle of one, so I joined the crowd and listened.

My child arrived, just the other day,

He came to the world in the usual way,

But there were planes to catch, and bills to pay,

He learned to walk while I was away.

And he was talkin' fore I knew it, and as he grew, he said,

"I'm gonna be like you, dad,

You know I'm gonna be like you!"

I had another flashback, where my father was playing a guitar. My mother and I were at watching and singing while he played. Then he started playing this song, and before I knew it, the words to the chorus were slipping out of my mouth while the guitarist played them. I thought it would be rude to sing while he was, but it was too late, and I began.

Oh, the Meowth's in the cradle and the silver Klang,

Little Beldum blue, now a Metang.

When you coming home dad, don't know when, but we'll get together then.

You know we'll have a battle then!"

My son turned 10, just the other night,

He said, "Thanks for the Pokémon, c'mon, let's fight.

Can you teach me to battle?" I said, "Not today, I got lot to do," He said, "That's okay."

And he walked away, and his smile never dimmed,

He said, "You know I'm gonna be like him, yeah,

I know I'm gonna be like him."

And the Meowth's in the cradle and the silver Klang,

Little Beldum blue, now a Metang.

When you coming home dad, don't know when, but we'll get together then.

You know we'll have a battle then!"

Well, he came from his journey just the other day,

So much like a man, I just had to say,

"Son, I'm proud of you, can we battle for a while?"

He shook his head, and said with a smile,

"I need to revive my whole team, see ya later, and wait for me please."

And the Meowth's in the cradle and the silver Klang,

Little Beldum blue, now a Metang.

When you coming home son, don't know when, but we'll get together then, dad,

You know we'll have a battle then!"

I've since retired, my son's settled down,

I met him yesterday, when he was around, I said,

"I'd like to battle if you don't mind."

He said, "Yes, I would love to, and I have the time.

My work's all finished, and though my date's in a few,

I would sure like to battle with you, dad,

Now Pikachu, I choose you!"

And as the fight began, it occurred to me, that my son was better than me.

My son was going to beat me.

And the Meowth's in the cradle and the silver Klang,

Little Beldum blue, now a Metang.

Thanks for the battle," said my only son. "And battling you sure was fun, dad,

Battling you sure was fun.

When the song was finished, the crowd looked at me, and began clapping and cheering. The guitarist walked up to me as they did. "Hey, you're a pretty good singer," he said. "Well, thank you, sir. I'm sorry for upstaging what you were doing."

"Hmm, wait a second. You wouldn't happen to know a Melody Aria, correct?" "Yes, I do, she's my mother, though I don't remember much about her. I was kidnapped by Team Galactic when I was 3. I've been a prisoner for over a decade, but now I'm free, and I'm never going back to them."

"Well, when I met your mother, she was doing the same thing you did, and even said the exact same thing that you did when you apologized." "Oh, wow, how ironic. Did you ever meet my father? I'll never get to meet him, and from what few memories I have, I can tell that he was a great guitar player. What was he like?"

"Ah, yes, Barret Aria. He was the best guitar player in all of Sinnoh, and no one could match his skill on the instrument. He actually taught me how to play. But, now he's gone, and music in this region will never be the same." "Hmm, could you teach me how to play?"

"Well, I suppose I could. It may take a while." "Don't worry, because as my friends could tell you, I'm a fast learner. So, where do we start?" "Well, your father would have started with how to hold a guitar."

~~~O~~~O~~~O~~~

Word Count: 2610 Words

So, that was fast. I had no idea that this chapter would take so little time to write.

Don't worry though, this string of "People who happen to know Jasmine's parents" is coming to a close soon. I hate writing that stuff, so I'll try and stop it soon.

The voice in Jasmine's head is also something I'm looking forward to in the story. I have a lot of ideas that I'd like to do, so I can't wait to get started.

And, if you're wondering about the songs, the first one that Jasmine sang on the beach is the theme to, "Mister Rogers' Neighborhood," which is also the show mentioned in her flashback. The second one is, "The Cat's in the Cradle," by Henry Chapin.

Well, I can't think of a new outro, so until next time, this is SSGSSJ2, saying to you all, Happy Reading! Now, back to reading, "Why You?"