Epilogue (Iris' POV)

They say that time has a way of changing things, healing wounds, and just making sure that nothing stays the same. I guess I'd have to agree with most of that, but… Well, let's just say I found out the hard way that it's not so much time as it is what you do with that time. It's all the blood sweat and tears that combine with time that really matters. You can't just wait around doing nothing, or just try and force the past to be different. That was a lesson both me and Kinsmen had to learn for ourselves.

In his case, he turned himself in to officer Jenny, and let me tell you, the list of charges against him was a mile long at least! But...maybe it isn't always as simple as what a person's done either. To try and redeem himself he was offered the chance to put his expertise to use by helping out at both archaeological and historical institutes around Unova. Maybe it was from years of being obsessed with the past, but his knowledge was pretty much unmatched on the subject. He returned his stolen goods and so far is making nice progress toward parole sometime in the future.

The papers never really got the whole story on why a master criminal would suddenly go straight. Well, all accept Viola, but this would be one story not even she was going to push to print. It would probably be too fantastic for anyone to believe anyway! In spite of everything, I really did hope Kinsmen, Tolly, would find his happy ending, after all. And I felt like he would, it just wasn't going to be in the place he thought it would be. I guess that's something I understood really well too…

I looked down at the familiar pocket watch in my hand. It was almost time already…

As for me and my special watch, it looked like I'd be keeping it as a souvenir for now. Or at least until the next new Champion showed up. I'd tried to give it back, but the clock shop was closed down and dusty, with no trace of anyone. But something told me they were more the "don't call us, we'll call you" type. Maybe it was just the fact that Cilan's detective sense was rubbing off on me, but I thought I hadn't heard the last of them.

But for now…

I pulled out the old creaking drawer and dropped the packet watch inside. Inside that drawer were old drawings and even a couple of petrified berries I really should have cleaned out ages ago. It was my old desk in my old house, in my old village, and to add one more, I felt just as old.

I'd make a note to pick up the watch again before we left for Opelucid City, because the thing was… Well, dresses weren't good for much in my opinion. Not moving around easily, and definitely not for storage either, there wasn't a pocket anywhere. I sighed as I scooted out the chair and stood up finally. It was so quiet that I figured Dawn and Shannon had finally quit buzzing around outside the door and had gone to take their stations. Take their stations…? It almost sounded like a battle strategy?

Closing one eye to lessen the cringe factor, I slowly turned around to face the mirror. I bit my lip a little at first before just relaxing my shoulders and opening the other eye. No use in even worrying about it… No part of this was not going to awkward. To be honest, I guess I didn't look too bad though. I'd never wore makeup much before, but Dawn had managed to not make me look like a clown, at least. The benefit of having at least one girly friend, I guess.

I sighed before a little smile slipped onto my face. Okay so, I'd have been lying if I said I wasn't at least a little nervous, but mostly… Mostly I just felt, well, okay, calm, content, happy. After all, when you'd already got a pretty great glimpse of the future, why worry about it? I knew what was coming, so I felt at least a little prepared for it. But...I was still only human so…

So as soon as I heard the knock on the door that I'd been expecting...I might have swallowed my tongue.

"C-Coming!" I said, not meaning to stammer, as I headed toward the door.

Opening the door slowly brought in a stream of bright sunlight, since today's weather was pretty much perfect. But casting a shadow on me was a tall and wide figure that most would have found completely intimidating. Normally I would have too, but today… He almost looked a little funny in a suit for a change. His arms and chest were so muscular from his training that almost any suit looked too small, and this one wasn't any different. It probably would have taken two or three Cilans to even try to match him, but that just made it that much funnier.

He may have looked scary, but...I knew better. Because as far as I was concerned, he was, had always been, my dad… And to be the one to walk me to the ceremony, would make that clear to everybody. His eyes softened as he looked down at me.

"You look very beautiful, little one…" He whispered slowly.

I rubbed at the back of my neck, getting the blushing started early. "Thanks, Drayden… Guess I feel a little funny though…"

He shook his head as he reached for my hand. "Don't, this is your day."

I cut my eyes up at him slowly as I held on to his hand a little tighter, feeling almost like a child next to him. "Is everybody ready?"

He nodded. "Yes, they're all waiting for you to begin."

I frowned a little, not able to stop myself from worrying about him. "How's Cilan?"

Drayden sighed before chuckling softly. "Trembling like a reed in a heavy wind."

Well, that description sure seemed to fit the mental image I'd imagined.

"His brother, the" Drayden stopped to think for a moment. "The fire type trainer, gave him coffee to try and brace him up, but I'm afraid it may have made his nerves that much worse."

I sighed and shook my head. "Chili's special blend…" then I looked up. "Well, we better go then, before he has a heart attack, and with all that caffeine, it might be more likely than not."

"What about you?" Drayden asked with smiling eyes as he helped me down the steps like a perfect gentleman.

I frowned, before swallowing hard. "Not gonna lie, I'd rather not have all the fanfare and the fancy ceremony. Or at least my nerves would anyway…"

Drayden laughed again as he tucked my hand into the crook of his arm. "Perhaps, you never were one to make a show, but… But this time I believe you deserve the moment."

I wasn't too sure I agreed, but I knew Drayden always thought I was modest to the point of being a little out of balance. It wasn't that I wanted to hide, but I just liked being me. And that meant I was more at home in a tree than in a dress, but… But I got how important today was. And if for no other reason, I wanted to do my best to look special for Cilan.

It was spring. A perfect spring day, the kind that would have made me jump out of bed as a kid. In fact, I could almost see the little me running up and down the village's trails, a whole herd of wild pokemon following behind. Not much had changed in my old home, dragon eggs hatched, and the newest generation would run up and down the hills. I smiled as we passed two little axews tussling playfully with each other. I used to be just like them, but now I guess I was all grown up? Then why did I still feel like I had so much more to learn?

I wanted to wonder about that, but I knew I wasn't going to have time to. Because on the next hill I could already hear the roar of a crowd. A packed crowd. My village was tiny, but when we all got together in a group we could really make noise. I guess that trait had rubbed off on me… But mostly I knew it was because no other occasion was as special to my village. We were small but really close, each person viewing the other as family. So when something special happened to one person, everybody was happy about it. But more than happy, it was like they were beside themself with just how great they thought today was!

Just how great they thought me and Cilan were…

Well, maybe to our friends, our family, we really were…?

But as soon as we got a little closer a hush went over everybody, until all eyes were on me and Drayden. More sets of eyes than I could have tried to count, more eyes that felt comfortable to be looking at you all at once. A part of me wanted to just look down, I sure was blushing enough I knew. But...instead, I ended up looking straight at him. At the green-tipped asparagus that was wringing his hands at the far end of the crowd. The same one standing next to Elder with Pansage (the ring bearer) and Fraxure (the scale bearer) trying to console him.

The crowd was totally silent now, which is exactly why Chili's sudden whistle as he elbowed Cilan in the side seemed even tackier. I guess coming from Chili that was a compliment, but like almost everything he said, it seemed a little lost in translation… Ash's eyes were as wide as a little kid seeing his first pokemon battle, and Dawn just seemed proud of her best friend. Shannon was clasping her hands in awe, and Cress was sensible enough to start a round of applause.

I wanted to hide under a rock, or either the very top branch of a tree, but for all the awkward and the nerves… I couldn't seem to look away from him. Yeah I know, how corny is that? But he, well, he was wearing a tux instead of his typical waiter get up, which wasn't all that different honestly. The thing was though, he was so pale, like about five shades paler, which was saying something. So when I finally made it down to him and Drayden let me go, I put a hand on each of his shoulders and looked at him honestly.

"Are you okay?" I asked in a whisper that only he could hear.

For a second he didn't say anything, just stood there trembling in my hands. But finally snapping out of it, he nodded slowly before the look on his face changed. Yeah, into a look somewhere between awe, extreme happiness, and indigestion. I couldn't stop myself from smirking at least a little bit. His mouth opened and closed a few times without any sound coming out, before he finally managed to say something.

"Oh I-Iris...you look superbly beautiful…"

I felt my forehead wrinkle a little, feeling even more embarrassed now. "Heh...well what did you expect?" I said playfully, trying to act calmer than I was.

His face just softened before he looked down, his voice almost a whisper now. "W-Why certainly not this...I can assure you…"

I thought it was funny how some people couldn't seem to believe what was standing right in front of them. I knew it probably had more to do with their own doubts and emotional insecurities but…

But none of that really mattered now…

So I leaned forward until I was giving him a big hug. A big hug in front of everyone, and I didn't even care. Why should I? I was nervous and awkward sure, but in the end, I wasn't ashamed of loving someone with everything in my heart. Every little piece…

"Well, you'll just have to get used to it, I guess huh?" I whispered in his ear as I felt his tears brush against my cheek. The truth was, I didn't want to let go, not ever. I wanted to hold on for just however long it took for him to really believe that I loved him. And even after that...well I just wanted to keep reminding him.

But first, before forever got started… I pulled back slowly, now just holding his hand before I looked over at Elder. She only had a little smile, but the gleam in her eyes was one that I knew so well. A look than meant she was as happy, as proud as could be. Then glancing back at Cilan, and asked him with a look, if he was ready. He mustered a brave face and cleared his throat before looking straight at Elder.

"We may begin."

And so we did. From the promises, to the rings, to the final presentation of our scale, or as I was calling it now: Coriander the first. And finally one last kiss to seal the deal. Which was officially photobombed by our own resident star reporter Viola. But this time I didn't really mind, I'd asked for her especially to cover our story. And cover it she did, though just between you and me, she was misty-eyed and sniffling from behind the lens. Which in short, meant she matched the rest of us pretty great.

As it turns out, being Mrs. Cilan didn't really feel all that different, just like being champion hadn't changed me either. But the one thing about it was...well… It was all about being me, but best of all, I got to be me with someone else that loved me just as much as I did. (No egomania intended.)

Now that all the official stuff was over, I was realizing that I was actually pretty hungry, so I helped myself to the hors d'oeuvres being carted around by Pansage, Pansear, and Panpour on little cute trays. To be sure it was a funny sight in the village of dragons, something so classy mixed with something as wild and natural. Which I guess would be what people would be saying about us from now on too. But that was a-okay with me!

Cilan for a change wasn't eating anything, and was still stiff as a board. A playfully mean part of me wanted to poke him in the shoulder just to see if he'd crumble like a brittle piece of glass. But I figured he just needed a little more time to relax and get used to things. So instead I wrapped my arms around the crook of one of his and pulled him a little closer as we started out at the people dancing, eating and just milling around. Dawn had taken advantage of a super slow and romantic song, to drag Ash onto the dance floor, and I would have given her a thumbs up if not for seeming like Chili. Who speaking of which, was busy trying to woo half the village's eligibles at that exact moment.

"You should eat something, before you get so weak you fall over." I said out of the blue.

Cilan flinched, before chuckling nervously. "Perhaps a little later…"

I smirked and shook my head. "You know, when I first met you at your gym, with all those fangirls clamoring around to see you battle…. Well, and with the way you ran your mouth, I mistook you for a real smooth character, almost as bad as Chili. But now I get it, you're actually a pretty shy, nerdy, normal person, aren't you, Cilan?"

He glanced over at me before sighing, his stress deflating a little bit. Then he smiled. "To be honest, I'm still just a bit shocked by the whole affair, Iris…"

I grinned back at him. "Well, that's silly, nothing's all that different now. We may be family now, but we're always going to be best friends most of all, Cilan… That won't ever change, so no worries, just relax, silly."

He looked down, a soft smile on his face, before he slowly glanced back up at me. "To be sure, Iris, it isn't for any lack of happiness. Just that I…" He blushed. "Still can't quite believe that such a perfect recipe as this could really be… That not only could our feelings be mutual, but grow to this fine conclusion."

I shook my head with a smile. "No Cilan, this isn't the conclusion of anything, instead, it's," I balled my fist and punched the air in front of us. "It's just the beginning of everything!"

For a second, he just looked at me without saying a word. Then he smiled. "Salty and sweet, mild and spicy… It would seem that I'm still marveling at just what an opposing but complementary recipe we really are…" He met my eyes one on one. "I've very pleasantly afraid that I'll always be this much in love with you, Iris…"

For a second, I didn't say anything, but then I couldn't help but grin. Wrapping an arm around his neck from the side I pulled him in a little closer until our cheeks were touching. "Of course, you better, there wasn't any refunds on this deal! Now," I said letting go before I hugged him to death. "Eat something, then come dance with me, will ya? We're supposed to be celebrating, not sitting around like an old stuffy stick in the mud!"

After he choked down a few mini tarts, (which as a catering choice I still found ironic,) he had enough strength to at least stand up. Though mostly, I thought I might have been the one holding him up on the dance floor. But what could you do, Cilan was always going to be Cilan, the good and the bad. Which, just so happened to be exactly how I wanted it to stay…

After the party was finally dying down, I took advantage of the opportunity to sneak away and change back into my normal clothes, my face was still all glammed up, but otherwise, I looked like me again. I was just putting my hair back in the typical clamps when I heard the front door of my old house creak open. I wasn't really sure who I was expecting, but it turned out to be Dawn that stuck her head around the door frame.

"Mind if I come in?" She asked hesitantly.

I rolled my eyes, thinking it was a silly thing to have to ask. "Of course, Dawn, why would I care?"

She didn't bother to answer, just stepped in and rubbed at her arm awkwardly, but didn't say a word. So finishing up restaining my hair, I turned to look at her with a frown. "Everything okay?"

She looked down as a smile crept across her face. "Yeah, it's just…" She sighed. "I wanted to see you before you both left for Opelucid, but now that I'm here…" She twisted her face into a pout that looked half playful, half on the brink of tears. "But now that I'm here, I'm almost too emotional to say anything without looking like a crybaby."

I smiled, finally understanding perfectly. So walking over to her I put an arm around her shoulders and squeezed. And as soon as I did she reached out and grabbed me in an even tighter hug.

"We're only gonna be gone for a week, silly, then it'll be the four of us driving each other crazy like always! Just wait and see."

She looked up from my arms and hesitated for a second. Then she said the words she was most afraid of saying. "You really think it'll be the four of us…?"

For a second I didn't say anything, I just let the meaning of her words sink in. I'd never told her exactly what I'd seen in the future. I wasn't sure if I should have, or if it might just risk changing things, but I wanted to assure her all the same.

"No, Dawn, I actually think it'll be more than four a lot sooner than you think…"

She smiled with a nod. "Right, Cori…"

I smirked. "Yeah, but that isn't who I meant, actually."

For a second she just looked confused before her eyes snapped open wider. "What do you know, Iris?!"

I grinned about as big as I could. "Oh well, while my lips are sealed about the details, I happen to know that good things do come to those who wait." I winked. "Even when an 'Ash' is in the equation."

For a second she just stared at me in awe, before a smile curled to her lips. "Thank you for being my friend, Iris…"

It was full on warm and fuzzies, until she pulled back and playfully pretended to be upset. "Though a best friend wouldn't have kept secrets…" Then she stared at me, trying to wear me down. And I guess it worked because I was about to give in, except just then a meek little head poked around the open doorway.

"Oh there you are…" Ash said as he looked between us.

Dawn's face fell a little, annoyed by his timing, but she sure changed her tone when he went on.

"Uh can I talk to you bout something, Dawn?" He asked with a nervous glance over his shoulder and two hands behind his backs.

Dawn glanced back at me suspiciously. But I just smirked before shrugging and reaching for the watch in my drawer. Popping it in my pocket I patted both their shoulders on the way out and took my leave. But you know, I might have noticed the sunlight glint off of something special he was holding behind him. Or I could have just been a crazy old time traveler. But either way, I had this feeling…

This feeling that Celebi was right about everything...

Well, after everything was said and done, all the hugs and goodbyes, we headed out for Opelucid city. I knew if we hurried we'd make it before dark, but then thinking Cilan could hurry over the rural terrain was probably expecting a lot.

Glancing over my shoulder I frowned. "You know, you probably could have moved faster if you'd changed out of that tux?" Then I shrugged. "Not that your normal clothes are all that different…"

He stopped to slump over, hands on his knees and gasping for air. "M-My apologizes...but your pace is rather brisk Iris…"

I smiled as I balled my fist. "Of course, we're going on vacation after all, aren't we? It only makes sense that I'm excited!"

"True…" Cilan meekly said, still trying to breathe. "But perhaps a slightly more leisurely pace would be best…"

I grinned as I rubbed my chin with an idea. "Or, we could just take Dragonite. After all, if we don't hurry, we're going to miss the last train." I thought if anything the mention of Cilan's favorite means of transport would be enough to motivate him. But surprisingly he just smiled slowly, almost like he knew something I didn't.

"I wouldn't worry about that, Iris…"

I narrowed my eyes at him. "How do you mean?"

His eyes closed in a tight smile that had that old annoying connoisseur look to them. "You'll just have to wait and see when we get there. But you're right, getting there before nightfall would probably be best."

"Fine with me," I said as I called out Dragonite. He still had his little blue bowtie on from the ceremony and it was enough to make me laugh.

"You look really cute, Dragonite!" I said patting him on the shoulder. Needless to say he was less than thrilled with that description and proudly huffed as he looked off to the side.

"Ure, ure." Fraxure nodded matter a factly, not missing a chance to poke fun at him either.

Dragonite huffed again which made Fraxure smile.

"Anyway," I said. "Think you can manage carrying both of us plus Fraxure?"

I knew he wasn't about to turn down a challenge, so puffing out his chest he nodded before bending down so we could climb on. Thankfully both me and Cilan were pretty light, so I knew we'd manage okay. But just then one of Cilan's pokeballs sprung to life and out came Pansage.

He was still wearing his bow tie and cufflinks, and like a mini Cilan, thought to adjust them with all the grace of a gentleman.

"Hmm, it seems that Pansage would like to join us, as well." Cilan said with a little chuckle.

I shrugged. "Well, the more the merrier, he's light enough not to matter to Dragonite, that's for sure."

So the four of us loaded on and set off. The forest passing below us was as familiar to me as anything, which was more than I could say for the future we were heading toward. Even though I'd already caught a glimpse of it, I still didn't have all the details. But that was just fine as long as I had my best friends all around me. Hearing Cilan's nervous teeth chattering behind me reminded me of just how true that was. (He still wasn't a big fan of heights…) The more things change the more the really important things stay the same. Now I knew that was really true…

When we made it to the city it was right about at dust, which was okay with me if it meant the paparazzi would be off our trail. But no sooner than our feet were on the ground I had this feeling we were being watched. I thought maybe it was just all in my head though, so I tried to forget about it. Cilan seemed to have regained his enthusiasm though, and was dragging me off in the direction of the train station. What metro connoisseur jazz did he have up his sleeve now?

The station was mostly deserted and I figured the last train had already run. But that fact apparently didn't mean much to Cilan, he was still beaming like a little kid if I ever saw one.

I was just about to ask what he was up to when a sudden voice pulled my attention behind me.

"Congratulations, Madame Champion." I stopped and turned to see the voice had come from behind a newspaper someone was holding. The voice sounded sort of familiar, but I couldn't really place it. Or at least not until he lowered the paper and grinned at me. "By the way, do you happened to have the time?"

I just stood there blinking in shock for a second, and it took Cilan rushing to my side and eyeing the old man suspiciously to pull me out of it. "Can we help you, sir?" Cilan asked as he narrowed his eyes, ready to jump at the first sign of harassment or criminal intent. I almost wanted to laugh at that, but I guess I couldn't really blame him considering how the last year had been.

But I just shook my head as I reached into my pocket for the watch. "It's okay, Cilan, this is the shop owner who gave it to me."

"Matthew Willtek, it's quite the pleasure!" He reached for Cilan's hand and squeezed it so hard I saw him wince.

"Now, let me buy you a cup of tea or a sip of coffee, it's the least I can do, you're newlyweds after all!" He was definitely the same guy because his laugh was larger than life. But mostly it was his name that was ringing in my ears now, Willtek, the same as the maker of the watch. It was about time I got some answers.

Seems Cilan thought so too because he dropped his suspicions and beamed like a little boy. "Oh why thank you, sir, that would be wonderful!"

Or it could have just been he was still that giddy over us being called that... I sighed. Kids would always be kids, I guess.

So after following him to a little cafe the three of us found ourselves sipping coffee staring across from each other. I was in a hurry to finally hear what this was all about, but he didn't seem as eager, nope he was too busy adding just the right amount of sugar to his coffee. He stirred in another cube before taking a sip and finally smiling.

"Ah, now this is simply wonderful!" He paused for another long moment before he went on, looking up at us. "Might I ask, how you met? I do so love asking young couples that!"

I felt my eyebrows twitch, was he stalling or just this causal?

Cilan opened his mouth, sucking in a breath and readying himself to relate the last ten plus years of our lives in painful detail, but I was a little too impatient for that.

"At a gym, on a journey, when we were kids." I said simply before Cilan could even start. I felt a little bad for cutting him off, but it just popped out before I could even stop myself.

But Cilan was in full rose-colored glasses mode anyway, so he was ready to praise me for anything I said or did.

"True." He agreed as he smiled down at me. "Though allow me to add a few tasteful details… You see, my dear Iris was always quite spirited so…"

I slumped in my seat knowing it was too late to stop him now. So I surrendered to his half-hour long gush session, knowing I had no choice in the matter. Finally, it was Mr. Willtek who brought up the watch, this even being too much for him apparently.

"Well, let me just say that it's been quite a long time since someone was sharp enough to solve the riddle. I imagine Celebi rewarded you for that?"

My smile softened a little as I thought about little Cori, and everything that I knew was waiting for me, that I'd been fighting for. "Yes, sir…" I said in almost a whisper. "But what I don't understand is why? Why is there a riddle like this in the first place?"

Maybe he was just waiting for one of us to ask, because he leaned back in his seat with a satisfied look in his eyes.

"Long ago…" he began. "In Unova's past, even before the great guardian dragons, Reshiram and Zekrom were split, there was a man named Martus Willtek." My eyes opened a little bit wider, I'd heard the legends that once Reshiram and Zekrom were really one pokemon, but I could imagine how long ago that must have been.

"Sadly, in that time our world was largely plagued by war, both between people and pokemon. But one day in the forest, a chance encounter with the mythical pokemon Celebi brought Martus forward in time some thousands of years. It was a mistake, but upon seeing the peace that now prevailed he implored Celebi to allow him to remain in that new time. It is said that Celebi took pity on Martus and granted his request. As such he went on to live is life, leaving his true past behind."

Mr. Willtek's eyes softened. "We today would wonder about what harm might have been brought to the timeline due to that, but maybe somethings are for the best. At any rate, in time he married and he and his wife soon had a little girl. She would grow up to be Unova's first champion. Now her father Martus had work, rather ironically, in this new time as a watch and clock maker. But the last watch he constructed was a special one, one that made use of some of the ancient knowledge his original people had know. Willtek wanted to forever pay tribute to Celebi and what time travel had done for him, which at the same time wondering about the ethics of it all."

He went on. "In the end, he left protecting the timeline and seeing that the power of the watch was not misused, to the care and judgment of Celebi. Even today, as you saw, Celebi continues to honor his friend's memory by granting to champions a glimpse through time." He smiled folding his hands on the table. "I am a descendant of Martus, and without Celebi's intervention in accidentally bring Martus to the future, I wouldn't be here. Such is the paradox of time, children. We must take care to respect it, not wanting to damage the future, while also accepting that now all things are perfectly understood by our judgment. None of us could say what would have been if Martus had lived and died in his own time, because that change has become a part of our present and our future."

He just sat there not saying anything for a few long moments before he boomed out a loud laugh. "But enough of the heavy, and the gloomy. Right now the two of you should be seeing nothing but stars in your eyes!" Snapping closed the pocket watch he slipped into his coat and stood. "You should feel nothing but pride, Madame Champion. Now, just be sure to safeguard and enjoy your future." He smiled almost knowingly. "Because who's to say just who our next Unova Champion will be…"

I got a funny feeling when he said that. I knew he couldn't have known, right? But… But I smiled anyway because all I could think of was Cori right then. Wondering just how much like me she might turn out to be…

Before Cilan or me either one could even compose ourselves he was gone, just leaving a jolly whistle behind him. Finally, Cilan and I just turned to look at each other. We didn't say a word, but I thought we didn't even need to. Nope, maybe it was because we just knew each other that well because we were that connected…? The truth was, the past was full of a lot of things good and bad, some I wanted to forget, others I'd cherish forever, but all I really wanted to do now was chase that future.

Our future.

So leaving the cafe, we walked in silence along the now rainy and dark street. Having forgotten about Cilan's apparent surprise, I didn't think to question why we were heading back to the train station until we were almost there.

"Um, Cilan," I asked. "We definitely missed the last train by now."

He turned to smirk at me with a gleam in his eyes. "Is that so?"

I wasn't sure what I was expecting, but I sure know what I wasn't. And turning a corner to see the 081 Wishful express was definitely one of those things. Cilan pranced up to the train car and rubbed it like a baby pokemon, before turning to face me, almost in tears.

"Oh how I've waited for this day…!"

I narrowed my eyes. "Uh…" Then it all slowly fell into place. The stamp rally! It felt like a million years ago, but having a train named after you had been the prize, right. But, wishful?

I was about to ask him why he decided to name it that, but then I thought I knew. All along we'd been tied to wishes, haven't we? Maybe us both working out had seemed so impossible that it felt like wishes were all I had at first. But now…

I sighed as I rubbed my forehead and pushed him toward the open doorway. "Okay, fine Cilan, let's just get on before you either have a heart attack or that paparazzi show up…"

Well, ironically his heart kept beating, but, and it was a big but, we turned to hear one camera shutter explode after another. It was a sea of reporters and apparently, they'd been laying in ambush for just this moment. I wanted to be annoyed, but sure enough, Viola was leading the charge at the front of the crowd. But it wasn't just them, Ash, Dawn, Chili and Cress had all been in on this apparently.

"I love you guys!" Dawn shouted with a wave over the clamor, and Chili was still whistling between his fingers.

Well, if I could I would have melted into a puddle of awkward, but the truth was, this was just another day with Cilan.

"This interior is divine! Oh and look at the gear work in the control room!" Cilan was literally spinning in a circle while I facepalmed.

So following him with a sigh I plopped down in a seat as our personal train rolled to life. Soon our friends were just a speck in the distance, and it was official. I was stuck, in more ways that one, with Cilan on a crazy train.

So, sorry if you were expecting a big romantic finish.

That, ironically enough, would have just been wishful thinking.

FIN

Thanks everyone for the reviews and reads!