AN: To New Readers: This is the sequel to my story, The Elementalist. Please check it out before reading this. Even the prologue has spoilers for the end.

To Old Readers: Hi there. It's been a while. I hope you don't all hate me, and if you did, I would understand, because I've been kind of a cunt the last couple months. I hope you can forgive me, and I hope you'll enjoy the story. This takes place about three years and two months (roughly) after the end of The Elementalist. Updates will be slower, as school is going to drag me down a lot this year. Enjoy.

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Onward

pepperPOP (formerly known as The Sherberty Lemon)
PG 13: for slightly graphic scenes, LANGUAGE, mature conversations, slight angst
Prequel: The Elementalist

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Prologue

August 23rd, 2010

Jack,

I hope this letter reaches you. Of course I trust Avi, but she's not properly trained, like Sky. I saw your win in the Indigo League on TV a few weeks ago. Champion of Kanto? I'm so proud of you! Storm and Azure looked incredible! Did you beat Giovanni the Snob? Well, I suppose you must have. Stupid question. Making an idiot of myself and I'm not even there. But how are you? Are you living with Gideon and Leah? How are they?

I checked league stats, and I saw Mariel's six badges. And has she fallen for Dan? Tell the truth. I'll assume Carly is long gone, and Emma must be leaving soon as well, right? Any gossip or stories of interest? Hoenn is beautiful, and it has such an amazing history. The Pokémon here are beautiful too. Last year I lived in this stunning town called Pacifidlog Town. It's built entirely on the water, with roped rafts as pathways! It's incredible. I left in January to start training again.

Anyway, I'm just sending this to let you know that I'm on my way home! I'll be taking a ferry to Johto and flying from there. I just wanted to know where you are, maybe I could stop by, I mean, if you wanted to see me. I really missed you while I was away. Aquatrix still misses Lunus, and so does Flicker. I missed you. Well, I already said that, but I do. So, just… Reply soon. My ferry leaves on the 1st.

Yours always,

Ari

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"Hullo," a man murmured, shading his eyes and looking skyward. He stood on a lush, long field, clear of any trees. He was tall, handsome, broad-shouldered, with curious blue eyes and dark hair. He was shirtless in the summer sun, a bag slung over his shoulder, surrounded by bird Pokémon of all regions and species. A few pidgeys ranged under the watchful eye of the obvious queen of the flock, a grand and tall pigeot. A farfetch'd pecked at the earth while an amused looking murkrow teased a fearow tethered to a pole. Three delibirds chattered excitedly while gentle screeches were teased from the feathers of a preening skarmory. A mother swellow nudged a tailow under her wing while the father looked on. Two region-mates, a pair of wingulls, cawed lazily under the sun.

It seemed to Gideon Marcum, the man among the birds, that a chunk of cloud had split from the mass in the sky to float down to the ground. It landed in front of him. She was a curious cloud, with blue legs, a flurry of feathers for a tail, a long neck and an elegant, two-ribbon crest. A small leather bag hung from her claws and she handed it to him.

"For me?" Gideon inquired. The bird chirped and nodded quickly. He took the bag as he studied the cloud. "You're from Hoenn, aren't you," he murmured thoughtfully. "I've heard about you cloudy fellows," he remarked. The bird beamed and chirruped again. Gideon smiled, opening the pouch and removing the single envelope. He tore it open without a second glance.

Jack, it began. He blinked at the envelope, sighing at his own stupidity.

Jack Marcum

Flock Ranch

Pallet Town – Route 1

Kanto

He glanced in surprise at the return address.

Ari Nightingale

Traveling – Southeast

Hoenn

Ari? He wondered, surprised. Without another thought, he read the letter. Smirking, he folded it back into the envelope and pulled a piece of paper and a pen from his bag, scribbling a new note. He popped a treat from the bag into the cloudy Pokémon's beak, and poured water in as well. He put the letter and note back into the pouch.

"Take this to Jack Marcum on Cinnabar Island," he directed firmly. The bird chirped in agreement and lifted into the sky.

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Jack Marcum was busy hollowing out a giant cloyster shell on a deserted beach when the cloud floated down to him, holding her bag earnestly. He smiled and took it from her, running an intrigued finger over her cloud.

"Hello beautiful. Are you from Gideon?" he inquired. She shook her head and Jack pulled out his dex.

"Altaria, the humming Pokémon, Hoenn." read out the digitalized professor. "It looks like a fluffy cloud when it is in flight. It hums with its soprano voice." Jack nodded curiously, putting the dex away and removing the contents of the pouch and furrowed his brow at the open envelope. Then he saw the note.

Jackie boy,

Opened it by accident. It's from your girlfriend.

Gideon

Jack sighed, shaking his head, but his heart was pounding. He slit the envelope with a trembling finger and read the letter.

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August 28th, 2010

Ari,

I got your letter. Avi is beautiful, and very good at her job. She reminds me of you. That was terrible. So you're forgiven for your stupid question.

Thank you, I'm rather proud of them myself. I went back to Stone Town after I beat Giovanni and used my winnings to buy stones to evolve them. Champion's a cool title. It's about the only perk, to be frank. I'm good, taking a break after all that blasted work. I never lived with Gideon and Leah, I have a little hut/shack thing on Cinnabar's southern beach. They're okay, though. The wedding was nice and they have a little girl.

Yes, May is making a name for herself. And no, you were right. I saw them at the tournament. I still don't trust him though. Speaking of wins, Gideon emailed me the video of your master contest at Lilycove. It was amazing! Those three years have really done you good. Aquatrix was perfect, and I didn't believe that Stella could actually get much stronger. I'm really happy for you.

No, nothing interesting has happened. Saw a few people we met at the tournament, and yes, Carly's gone. She's beaten two gym leaders but only so she can raise them. She's more into exploring. Emma left two weeks ago. I took her to New Bark Town after the Indigo League and she left to travel Johto. Is Hoenn that great? You'll have to show me around. Why were you staying with a family?

Wow, are you really? I can't wait to see you again, and of course I want to! I missed you a lot, and Lunus has been pining too. I can't wait to see you. I'm keeping Avi overnight to rest, but she should reach you in time. Catch the Magnet Train instead of flying, and go from Goldenrod to Saffron, then take the ferry from Pallet to Cinnabar. I'll find you.

Yours,

Jack