The image of a powerful trainer stood steadfast. Beyond them was easily the most powerful Pokemon in the entire region, and the fool had done what had been failed by a master of dragons. The last Loremaster for the Draconids couldn't reason with the majestic monster, but some kid fresh out of the Pokemon League had done the impossible.
Rayquaza seemed especially drawn to the new champion since the start, but never had Zinnia anticipated that it would be them to unlock the potential to power up even the most legendary of Pokemon. As they slid into their suit and eventually mounted the spacebound creature, Zinnia returned to a standing position. Before long, the duo has disappeared into the frontier far above.
It was all she could do to hold back her tears and remain strong for Aster. Before she falls into her melancholy, Zinnia scribbles a quick note for the inevitably victorious trainer's return.
""I was finally able to bring everything to an end. I thank you for that. I think I'll spend some time now trying to find out if it's also possible to forge a new beginning for something once lost. Until we meet again,
Zinnia""
She hands the note to the small Whismur beside her. "They need to see this Aster. Come find me when you deliver it. You know where I'll be."
A small nod, which involved a humorous portion of the small Pokemon's body mass, is all the affirmation Zinnia needs before turning and making her way to the base of the Sky Pillar. She has barely made it two stories down before her tears show despite her efforts.
Time passes. Aster finds her way back to the still-puffy-eyed Zinnia. Everything begins to fade out.
The morning sun crests the distant peak of Mt. Chimney, rousing Zinnia from her restless slumber. Sitting up forces a yawn from her tired form and a mild stretch to aid in the slow process of waking. She reaches over to give Aster a small shake to jump start her own awakening.
A few moments pass, and Zinnia pulls out her map. She gazes at the sheet in front of her until her eyes focus, and goes over her most recent plan once more.
If I'm leaving Hoenn, it makes the most sense to travel to a port city. Her finger traces along an imaginary path, leading from her approximate location to Lilycove City. If I'm catching a boat to the next region, this is probably the fastest way.
"Wizz….mer," offers the pink ball which now stood beside Zinnia.
"Yeah, you're right Aster. It might be faster to go along to the Safari Zone and travel by land." Zinnia considers this new route, but decides against it. "Never mind. I don't want to run into our resident Pokemon League champion. It'll be less likely if we go oversea."
"Wiss, mer?" The tiny voice of her companion rang with truth.
"I don't want to fly there, sorry Aster. I don't think I want to face any of the other Pokemon right now."
Aster offered a bit of a cuddle to show her understanding. It was no secret, however, that even a Whismur could tell when she was being dramatic.
"But you do have a point. Oversea is unnecessarily complicated without the other pokemon. We'll do that."
She rolls the map up and sticks it into her new knapsack. Her blanket from the night before is lifted from the ground, dusted off, and wrapped around her neck. "Can't leave without the old cloak, eh Aster?"
Zinnia gazes down the road ahead of her. "Let's get moving, I guess."