Evolved Episode 46: A Soldier's Duty

Tom and Nerelia sit together on the couch. They stare at Mary as she sleeps in Nerelia’s arms.
Tom smiles. “Aww, who’s Daddy’s new little girl?”
Nick enters the room. “Hey, have you seen-”
“Sh,” Nerelia interrupts. “Mary’s sleeping.”
“Oh, sorry,” Nick whispers. “Have you guys seen Zach?”
“Upstairs with Melissa in their room,” Tom replies.
“Thank you.” The Shiftry climbs the stairs and knocks on Zach and Melissa’s door.
Zach answers his knocks. “Oh, hey, Nick. What do you need?”
Nick notices Melissa changing Felix on the bed. “Can I speak with you in the team room? This is a private matter.”
“Sure.” Zach turns to Melissa. “I’ll be back, my Love.” He follows Nick into the team room and closes the door. “What is it?”
“I wanted to know if we were sticking to the original plan of invading the Blackrun Fortress.”
Zach narrows one eye. “What? Of course we’re sticking to the plan. Why wouldn’t we be?”
Nick clears his throat. “Well, you and Melissa now have kids. Tom and Nerelia do, too. I didn’t know if we were changing the plan.”
Zach rubs his chin. “Now that you mention it, we may have to think more about the situation. But, we can’t let Melissa and Nerelia go out and fight with us.”
“No, I agree with you,” Nick says. “But, won’t they be worried about this?”
Zach sighs. “Yes. We’ll have to tell them though.”
Tom enters the room. “Excuse me, guys. Didn’t mean to interrupt your little meeting, but I just wanted to know what are we doing about the whole invasion of the fort?” Both Pokémon stare at him. “I’m serious.”
“We were just talking about it,” Nick replies. “The girls are going to have to stay because they need to rest and keep the babies safe.”
Tom’s eyes widen. “So, it’ll just be us and Alex?”
Zach nods. “And all of our allies.” His EVA unit vibrates and beeps. “Hold on, I have to take this.” He answers the call and Lily appears on the holographic screen. “Hey, Mom.”
“Zach,” Lily starts. “How are you? I haven’t heard from you in a while. How are my grandbabies?”
“Everything’s fine,” Zach states. He smiles. Lily gasps.
Tom gets behind him. “Hi, Miss Lilly! I’m a father, too! Nerelia and I have a daughter.”
Lily giggles. “Yes, I know, Tom. Congratulations! I’m happy for all of you.”
Zach lightly pushes Tom away. “Thanks, Mom. Hey, listen. I’m going to be out with the guys for a few days. I won’t be able to talk to you too much, but Melissa and Nerelia are going to be around.”
Lily narrows one eye. “Why? Zach, what’s going on?”
“Nothing,” he replies. “We just have important things going on.”
“Oh, okay. Well, I better leave you to your work. Tell the girls I’m here if they need help. I love you.” She hangs up. The hologram shrinks into Zach’s EVA unit.
Tom looks at Zach. “Why didn’t you tell her what we were really doing?”
Zach turns to him. “She gets very worried. If she knew we were invading a fort, she would have a panic attack.”
Nick rubs his chin. “I’m worried that’s what would happen if we told Melissa and Nerelia.”
Alex enters the room. “Hey, guys.” The three Pokémon startle and turn to him. “Oh, sorry. Didn’t mean to scare you.”
“Arceus,” Tom says. “Don’t you ever knock?”
“You didn’t knock when you came in,” Nick adds.
Zach sighs. “Guys, we’re not here to fight. Natalie informed us that she and the others are waiting at Holden’s Keep.”
“So,” Alex starts. “We’re going to meet them there in order to pull off the invasion?”
“Yes,” Tom answers. “I remember it’s not the first time we’ve done this.”
Nick nods. “The Belgi invasion. That was a years ago.”
“And now, we pursue a villain at Blackrun,” Zach says. “Ivan’s going to pay for what he’s done.” He presses numbers on his EVA unit and pulls up a holographic screen.
Natalie appears on the screen. “Hello? Who’s calling?”
“It’s Zach,” he answers. “I want to let you know we will be joining you. We’re leaving in a bit.”
Natalie replies, “We’re preparing the units and we can’t complete the mobilization without you guys. Once you get here, we’ll have you suited up and review the situation to the recruits and the allies.”
“Also, Melissa and Nerelia are going to be staying home. It will be just the four of us. We need a way to get to Holden’s Keep.”
Natalie nods. “I understand. I’m sending a hovercraft to your location now. We’ll see you in a few hours.” She hangs up.
“I better go tell Melissa.” Zach leaves the room.
“I should do the same with Nerelia.” Tom does the same.
Alex turns to Nick. “This is going to be a hard battle to fight.”
“I have a feeling it will be,” Nick responds.
Tom climbs down the stairs and approaches Nerelia. “Nerelia, I have something I want to tell you.”
Nerelia turns from Mary to him. “What is it, Honey?”
“The boys and I are going to take part in the invasion of the Blackrun Fort and Zach said it would be a good idea if you and Melissa would stay here.”
Nerelia manages a smile. “It’s fine, Tom. I understand.”
Tom’s eyes widen. “You do?”
Nerelia nods. “Besides, I have to be here for Mary. I’m still getting used to her being around.” She stands and presses her lips on his forehead, causing him to blush. “Good luck. Don’t get hurt.”

***

Zach enters his room and notices Melissa changing Samantha’s diaper. “Melissa, can I speak with you for a minute?”
“Go ahead,” she says. “I’m all ears. Well technically, just two big ones.”
Zach begins. “I just got off a call with Natalie, and we’re proceeding with the invasion plan.”
Melissa turns to him quickly. “You told her we were participating in the invasion?”
“Well, yes and no.” He clears his throat. “I told her it would be just Tom, Nick, Alex, and me. You and Nerelia would stay home. Please don’t be mad at me.”
Melissa approaches him. “I’m not mad at you, Dear. It’s fine, but I’m worried.”
Zach sighs. “I just can’t let Ivan terrorize more Pokémon. He has to be stopped. I want our children to be safe from harm, but as long as he’s out there, no one is safe. That’s why I have to do this.”
Melissa nods. “I understand. Just promise me one thing.”
“Anything,” Zach says.
Melissa stares at him. “Please don’t die.”
Zach smiles. “When does a member of Team Young die?” Melissa rushes over to him and squeezes him with a hug. Zach accepts it. The roar of engines sound from outside. Felix and Samantha begin to cry.
Melissa returns to the two Pokémon. “Sh, it’s okay.” She lifts them in her arms.
“That’s our ride to Holden’s Keep,” Zach says. “I better get going.”
Melissa turns to him. “Good luck, and remember what I said.”
Zach nods. “I will. I love you.” He kisses each baby on the head and leaves the room to meet the others in the living room. “We ready to go?”
“Yes,” Alex responds. “We’re ready as ever.”
“I can’t wait to give Ivan and his goons a good pounding,” Tom adds.
Nick lets out a chuckle. “Don’t we all?”
“Come on.” Zach leads them out of the base and towards the metal hovercraft in front of them.
Melissa stands on the porch with Nerelia and waves. “Best of luck to you, guys! Come home safe.”
“Don’t get shot!” Nerelia shouts.
“We won’t,” Tom yells back. “I love you, Nerelia!” The boys enter the craft and take their seats before the door slides closed and it ascends into the air.
Zach looks through the window and sees Melissa and Nerelia wave at them. He sighs. “We better make sure we get Ivan once and for all. The future of our children is all on us.”