Finally, the bird Pokemon had landed their passengers on the ground. Mewtwo, though, had preferred to let his 'passengers' land in the most uncomfortable way possible.
Amber had a big smile on her face, and she turned to Mason. "That was the most-" she gasped as Mason suddenly leaned forward and kissed her on the mouth.
"Finally," Topaz muttered, but still happy for her sister.
Skye and Gary on Ho-oh were the last to land. "You've got an awesome girlfriend," Skye commented to Gary. When Gary was silent, Skye just put a hand on Gary's shoulder. "She's gonna be okay. I have a feeling about this."
Gary shook his head. "Where's Sam?"
"I… I don't… Rayquaza had her, right-" Skye left the question unfinished, as he saw something behind Gary's back.
"What are you looking at?"
Gary turned around, and saw Sam falling from Rayquaza's head, headed towards the sea. "NO!" Gary yelled. Everyone turned to Gary from what they were doing, and saw the same thing. The Legendary Pokemon seemed to grasp what was going on, and let out their own cries.
"Kyogre!" Moltres cried out. "Get Sam!" Kyogre disappeared from surface, and swam as fast as she could to where Sam was falling. She surfaced at the right time, and Sam landed on Kyogre's back, unharmed.
"No…" Gary said quietly. "No, no…" He felt something peck him really hard in the back, and turned around to see Moltres bowing her head down. "What's with you…?" he asked.
She bowed her head insistently, and Gary realized that Moltres wanted Gary to ride her. "Well, alright then," he said, and climbed on. "Steven, get on," he looked at Steven, who looked so helpless. Gary winced, and just waited for Steven to approach them.
When Moltres was sure that Steven and Gary were secure, she raced as fast as she could towards Kyogre.
When they were close enough, Gary practically jumped off of Moltres. He landed on Kyogre (after a muttered apology) and went to Sam, who was lying down, mouth slightly open.
It didn't look like she was breathing.
Gary's own breath caught in his throat, and he felt tears prick his eyes. "Sam…" he said quietly.
Steven had reached him by them, and he was already crying. "No…!"
Moltres closed her eyes at their pain. She, only she, knew how to save Sam. But she needed… she needed…
She needed what wasn't available to her. She scowled, in the only way a Legendary Pokemon could. Darn those idiots.
Meanwhile, the gang had arrived on their flying Pokemon steeds, and were starting to cry. Amber didn't even want to look at Sam. Topaz, on the other hand, couldn't stop staring – or crying.
Their pain! Moltres was in anguish. Our baby, our Sam! I need to… I have to! Moltres let out a loud screech.
"Whoa, Moltres, what's the matter?" Articuno asked, looking concerned.
"Nothing," Moltres replied scathingly. "Where the heck are they when you need them?!" she muttered angrily under her breath. "They're there when you don't want them to be, but when you do…" Moltres hissed. She rose up into the air and started flying away.
"Even Moltres doesn't want to watch," Steven said, sadness overcoming him.
"Sam… she always said that Moltres was like a mother to her," Gary said, sounding dead. "Maybe… maybe she just doesn't…" Gary couldn't find any more words. He was out of them. Sam… she wasn't coming back, was she?
"Steven," Phoebe reached out for him, and he drew her close in a tight hug. He felt Phoebe crying, and he just patted her back, although tears were starting to drip down his face as well.
Topaz was just shaking her head. "She's not dead, she's not gone, she's still here… I want her to be here again!" she cried, and James held her tightly, pressing his cheek against the top of her hair.
Wallace looked at Sam's unmoving body, and he knew… he knew deep in his heart that it was his fault, for some selfish, stupid reason. If I hadn't fought with Winona that night… no one would've replaced me… Sam wouldn't have been drugged… this never would've happened!
Skye stood there, with no tears running down his face, but with the feeling that he could've prevented it… if only… if only... "Why you, Sam?" he asked quietly. "Why? You don't deserve this!"
Amber was already crying, and Mason was rubbing her back comfortingly, whispering words of comfort to her, even while he was crying.
Gary just stared blankly at the girl he was in love with… at the girl who had taught him to care for other people, not just himself… at the girl who argued with him day and night before… at the most beautiful girl he had ever met, inside and out.
He didn't see Winona leaning down next to him, and giving him a hug.
He didn't see his friends also gathering around him.
He didn't see Steven clench his fists in remorse; as Phoebe started to comfort him.
He didn't feel the tears running down his cheek.
All he saw was Sam dead. All he felt was the slow, painful, ripping of his heart.
"I know you two are down here somewhere! I just know it!" Moltres let out a loud screech as she flew over the region of Sinnoh. "Come out like the Legendary Pokemon you two are supposed to be!"
She circled Sinnoh over and over again, as fast as she could. Moltres screeched even louder, the flames on her wings starting to flare out dangerously. "Cowards! You know you were wrong, and still you hide! We need you! Sam needs you!"
And then… Moltres felt it. There was a sudden pull that she couldn't explain… something that was pulling her to Snowpoint City. So they're finally letting me know where they are. This is gonna be fun.
Snowpoint City had a series of mountains around it, some that people hadn't exactly explored over the years, and thus, giving our sarcastic Legendary duo, Dialga and Palkia, enough cover.
Moltres found their hideout deep in a cave, and she spoke to them quietly. "Finally. I've finally met you."
The cave wasn't, well, a cave, but an opening to an even bigger space inside the mountain. It was big, big enough to fit Palkia and Dialga, and still give them plenty of space. Palkia stared up at Moltres, disdainful, and stood up. "Why are you here?"
"You know why I'm here! You could help Sam, but you choose, deliberately, not to help her!" Moltres flapped her wings in rage; flames shooting out, and sparks bouncing dangerously close to where the two sat.
Dialga, sensing real anger and pain, stood up in a rush. "Don't get too excited, Moltres… just tell us what's happening. I like you because you've been one of the more tolerable of the Legendary lot, and I actually admire you for that."
"No time for flattery," Moltres said in an icy tone. "What happened is that the whole MARGE operation is done, and we had to sacrifice Sam for that to happen. No thanks to you two!"
"Even if we wanted to help the young Spirit Sage, we couldn't, remember?" Palkia replied in a tone that almost was as icy as Moltres'. "We need direct orders from a Spirit Sage, past or present. I don't see any Spirit Sage here, hm?"
Moltres was angry at Palkia's reply, not because it irritated her, but because it was true. "You have to go there! You might not be able to help, but who knows what will happen?"
Palkia let out a snort. "It's going to be a waste of our time and power, Moltres. To go even when we know that there's nothing that can be done? Please!"
Dialga was staring thoughtfully at Moltres, an idea forming. "We could give it a try."
"EXCUSE ME?!" Palkia couldn't believe it. "You're actually willing-"
"Shut up," Moltres screeched. "Stop thinking about yourself! At least Dialga's actually THINKING!"
"You'd have to beat us, first," Dialga said calmly, smiling coldly. "Beat us, and we'll go with you, no sweat."
"Are you stupid?! You're just wasting even more time! By the time we get there, Sam will be dead and gone for sure!" Moltres was getting pretty angry with these two hardheaded Legendary brats, and she had no time for this.
Besides, she doubted that she could beat these two all by herself. They were sarcastic, stubborn, mean and hated, but they were powerful. And Moltres couldn't beat that.
"Aw, Moltres won't have trouble beating you, you two little hypocrites," a new voice joined in the conversation, and Moltres looked up in relief to the opening of the cave to see the rest of the Legendary bird trio hovering there. It was Zapdos who had spoken. "She'll have us beating the crap right out of you right next to her!"
"Took you long enough," Moltres rolled her eyes, but smiled. They were always there.
Articuno swept down, his eyes on Moltres', and he blinked once, his way of letting Moltres he cared. "Right, so are you guys gonna come peacefully or not?"
"Isn't there anyway we can… save Sam?" Phoebe asked Steven, as she wiped her eyes with the back of her hand.
He shook his head sadly. "Have you seen anyone raise from the dead?"
She was quiet, and another tear slid down her cheek. No…
It was one thing to see Sam fall from the sky, it was another to see the effects on those who had cared for her the most.
But like I said… Sam's not dead. Not yet.
"Where am I?" Sam asked.
She was just floating, she couldn't make herself move. She was wearing a plain white dress, something she despised. "Anyone there?"
"You've done a great job, Sam…"
Sam's heart lifted at the voice; it was her mother, her true mother, who was speaking. "Aria- Mom…" she said quietly.
Arianne appeared in front of Sam, and she hugged her daughter tightly. "You have made me so proud."
"Glad to hear." Suddenly, something flashed in Sam's brain. "Mom? Where is everybody? Where's Gary? Is he okay? Mom?"
"Calm down, sweetheart…" Arianne quieted down her daughter's fears. "Everyone is okay. You, on the other hand, have seemed to have suffered quite a lot."
Sam was quiet.
"To answer your first question, you are… floating around in your subconsciousness." Arianne swept her arms around the space, and Sam realized that it was here that she had first heard Arianne's voice. "And no, you're not dead yet." At Sam's raised eyebrows, she laughed. "Everyone who's in this scenario thinks that question sometime."
"Mom…" Arianne turned to Sam, noting the sad expression on her face. "I… I won't be here forever, right?" Tears started to leak out of her eyes. "I'm gonna go back and be with the others, right?"
For the first time, Arianne didn't have an answer ready.
"I can't leave them!" she said. "I can't just be gone! I remember what happened! I know I tired myself out! I used all of my power at the same time and became unstable! I glowed!" Sam's lower lip trembled. "I can't just… leave Gary!"
Arianne stared at Sam, wishing that she could erase all the pain and the cause of it. But… she couldn't.
"I love him! I need him! He feels the same… do you think I can just… go poof on him?"
"Sam… the answer to your question… it's not in me, but in two Legendary Pokemon I adore. I gave them a little something… that will save your life."
"Really?" Sam said, brightening up. "Who? Maybe… Groudon and Kyogre? Or any of the Legendary Bird Trio. Mew and Mewtwo?"
Arianne shook her head. "Actually, it's Palkia and Dialga."
It was as if a small weight had slid down Sam's throat and straight into her stomach. "The key to my living again is in the hands of the two Pokemon who hate me the most?!" she threw up her hands. "I'm doomed. Bye, Gary. Bye, Steven. Bye, Phoebe, Wallace, and Winona. Good-bye, Amber, Topaz, Skye, Mason and James. Nice knowing you all."
"Well, when I gave them the power, I didn't know that they'd despise you…" Arianne said thoughtfully. "Oh, just have a little faith in them, and the other Legendaries who love you, compared to their hatred." She smiled at her daughter. Suddenly, Arianne froze, and cocked her head, as if listening to something.
"Mom, what's wrong?"
She shook her head, a little smile on her face. "I have to make an appearance to the living," she said hastily. "I forgot that the two can't use the power unless someone orders them to…"
"Ah… mom?"
"Yes, sweetheart?"
"Thanks." Sam smiled at her mother, and Arianne leaned down to kiss Sam on the forehead. "Can you… ah… tell Gary something for me?…"
"We have to get the… body… soon," Wallace said to Steven hesitantly. They had checked her signs of life. No heartbeat, no breathing. It was really… over.
"No…" Steven said, shaking his head. "Not yet. I have a feeling…"
"Stop, Steven…" Winona gently tried to discourage him from false hope. "She's…"
"She's not dead, you hear me?" Steven said harshly. "Just wait a few minutes, that's all I'm asking!"
The two were silent.
"And… I don't think Gary'll forgive you if you take Sam away from him now," Steven said bitterly.
Kyogre had landed them on a nearby island (Mewtwo was watching the MARGE leaders, saying that it was his last gift to Sam to make them as uncomfortable and fearful as possible) and Gary was now kneeling on the floor next to Sam, gently stroking her face with his fingers. He had her head elevated on his knee.
"Sam…" he whispered. "My Sam…"
Moltres had a smug look on her face, something that Zapdos and Articuno found unsettling. "Hey, what's up with you, hm?" Zapdos asked.
Articuno was silent, seeing that he cared a whole lot more for Moltres than anyone actually knew, and tried to understand what Moltres was feeling.
"Who wouldn't be happy?" Moltres asked, sounding almost like she was chirping. "I mean, we got Palkia and Dialga to follow us on a single command. And I actually like this idea," she bubbled with happiness.
She had a long, sort of leash-y thing attached to her leg, and another leash was attached to Articuno's leg. The other end of both leashes were either tied around Palkia or Dialga's neck.
"This is so degrading," Palkia hissed from behind Moltres. "We are not Growlithe you can just tie up and be happy with!"
Articuno chuckled. "Don't worry, you two. We'll be at our destination soon enough."
Meanwhile, at the island, a bright light shone, and everyone closed their eyes. "We've been getting a lot of bright lights lately," James muttered, cracking a bad joke even when his eyes were red from crying.
This time, however, there was an almost friendly and caring warmness emitting from the light. When they could open their eyes again, they were startled by the form of a woman, who looked really solid and yet, ghostly at the same time.
Her hair, which was arrow straight and silver like Steven's, was down in a neat arrangement that reached just below her shoulder blades. She wore a black and gray gown that looked ancient, but fitting for her appearance. "Hello," she said. Her voice was sweet and flowing, and it put everyone at ease.
"Who are you?" Winona was the first to speak. Winona was actually of average height, just a tad taller than Sam, who was five feet five now, but this woman was a little bit more taller than Winona, at about a five feet seven.
"Well," the voice had a hint of laughter in it, "You could look at Steven and know the answer."
"You're… you're Steven's mom… and Sam's mom," Mason said, understanding.
Arianne's grey eyes twinkled at Mason's answer. "You got it correctly."
Gary looked up at Arianne, the first time he had taken his eyes off of Sam for the past two hours, and looked hopefully at her. "Did you come to bring Sam back?" the question seemed like something that Ash would ask, not Gary, but still, the childish question made Arianne wince.
"I'm sorry, but I don't have the power to do that," she said gently. "You know that I would if I could… but, on the contrary, the Pokemon who are able to bring back Sam are on the way." Her smile was gentle and full of compassion, and at that, Gary's heart felt hopeful for a while.
"M… Mom…" Steven stumbled forward, and reached out a hand. "You're…"
"Oh, Steven…" Arianne said, and also reached forward. "I'm so, so terribly sorry for leaving you and your father… I can never forgive myself, really…"
"It's okay…" Steven said, and found out, with pleasure, that he could touch Arianne. How? No one knows. It's the magic of materializing into thin air. He hugged her. "I miss you."
"Me too, honey," Arianne said, choking up. "You're making me really proud, taking care of Sam… and all of her friends…"
"She's what I have left," Steven shrugged. "It's not a problem, really…" he looked at his mother for a long time. "Is she going to be okay? Can she really…"
"The answer to both questions is yes," she replied. Surprise showed on Wallace and Winona's faces, and she looked at them. "Anything is possible, here. You two, among all people, should be more open minded."
"But… with all due respect, Mrs. Stone…"
"Arianne. Please," Arianne said, smiling at Winona.
"Arianne," Winona continued, "How could it be possible?"
"You see… the only thing that's actually dead is the Spirit Sage. Not Sam. But, unfortunately, you know that it was the Spirit Sage that was taking over Sam's body at the time she… passed," Arianne said. "The simple thing to do is to take away the Spirit Sage."
"Isn't that like," Skye fished for the right word. "Exorcism?"
"Oh, heavens, no!" Arianne said hastily. "This is actually a Pokemon attack that can save Sam."
"Mom," Steven said hesitantly. "Are you sure…?"
"I'd bet your life on it, Steven," Arianne said crossly. "Look, you're talking to the previous Spirit Sage. I knows what I'm talking about."
"All right," Gary said. Everyone looked at him, shocked. "I believe you."
"Gary…" Winona tried to tell him, without words, that if this didn't work… he'd be one heartbroken guy. But she couldn't.
"There," Arianne said happily. "Gary believes in me." Then, just as if she remembered something, she snapped her fingers. "Gary… Sam has a little message for you."
"She… she does?" he asked again, startled, as if he thought that Sam would forget him in the afterlife after she had promised she never would.
"Yes…" Arianne said. She closed her eyes, and right in front of them, a life size ghost of Sam showed up. She didn't notice any of them, and they realized (even though they didn't even think it was possible) that she was conjured out of Arianne's memory.
"Ah… mom? Would you tell Gary…" Sam looked to the ground, and bit her lip, a habit that Gary thought was endearing. "He's the best thing that's ever happened to me. Gary, I… I never got to talk to you seriously when I was still alive… so here it is…"
"Gary… when I… if I don't go back… I just want you to know… that you're in my thoughts every day, every hour, every second," Sam seemed to be speaking straight from the heart, something she didn't normally do. "You're everything I could dream of, come true. I have to admit… some times, when I look at you, I can't believe that you're actually there, and you're mine. I can't believe that you love me, and not just me who is in love with you."
She took a deep breath, and Gary was so moved by her message, that he was completely silent. Sam spoke again. "I love you a lot… more than anyone else I ever know, that's how much I love you, Gary… I've never told you this when I was still alive, right? Funny… how people seem to want to say stuff like this after they're dead… but… well, now I understand why."
"I don't want to leave you, Gary. We could have had a future. I don't think I'll know how long it would have lasted. We have so much more to do… more battles to get through together, more situations we can beat out together… more times together." At that, her eyes filled up, and she looked away.
"You were always there for me, whether I wanted you to be there or not. Remember? That time with two dozen Poochyena? You knew I needed you. And I did. And you were there," she smiled, and Gary closed his eyes, pain filling his heart with every word, every memory that Sam conjured, as he remembered. "I don't think I would've made it this far in my life if you weren't in it, Gary. You were the first one I battled with. You saved my life, I don't know how many times, but you did."
Everyone was crying now, even Arianne, who was so touched by the love that her daughter showed to this boy… who loved her so much, possibly even more than Sam loved Gary. Steven was starting to sob, because what Sam was saying… what she was doing… it was just too much.
"There are times when you were annoying," she shrugged. "There was a time when I hated you, but, of course, I don't hate you now, obviously…" she laughed. "You've just been everything to me. As a friend, as brother, as a parent, weird as it may seem, and as a boyfriend. You're the best guy a girl could have, and I'm lucky to have met you."
"But… just in case Palkia and Dialga hate me enough to let me die, you have to move on. You can't be single forever, you're too good for that. Do it for me," she sounded like she was begging. "I just want you to be happy, Gary. Like I said… you're gonna have to be yourself with somebody else. Not me."
"No…" Gary said quietly. "It's going to be impossible, Sam…" he whispered.
"I think every person who dies isn't supposed to have any regrets at all," she continued. "But I don't feel that way. When I think of those three years I hid from all of the world, it makes me sad. Because that was three years that I could have spent with you, and now I've wasted them." Despite her words, she smiled. "You were my stars, my sun, and my moon."
"You make me feel like someone else when I'm with you. I feel… happier, and lighter. You made me realize that even if I was different… even though I was being hunted by team MARGE," she giggled. "There would… always… be someone there who'd be next to me at the end of the day, someone who'd hug me, and comfort me, and love me not because I had power, but because I was a person."
"I've never…" Amber said through tears to James, Mason, Skye and Topaz, "Seen anyone with that much love before."
"Agreed," Skye said, wiping a tear from the corner of his eyes.
"Mom… has to go now, Gary, so I have to say good bye to you… and maybe, possibly, for the last time." She started crying openly now. "Thank… thank you… for being there… for being you… for loving me…" she looked up, and her eyes were shining with tears. "Thanks… for showing me the brighter side of life… most of all, Gary… thanks for actually being a part of my life, because… because of you, I wasn't scared of the world anymore. I knew you were always going to be next to me through whatever happened."
"Lastly, I love you, I love you, and all of you. I love the way you get hyped up before a battle. I love it when your eyes sparkle when you look at me. I love the way you got jealous when I first met Skye. I love those hairclips you bought me. I love the way you spend about an hour every morning spiking up your hair perfectly. Sometimes, you're arrogant, but I love that too. I love your smile, when it's genuine… I love you, as a person."
"You've really stolen my heart, Gary…" she smiled through her tears. "I love you. Thanks. Take care of yourself."
Her ghost vanished suddenly, and Gary just broke apart. Everyone was crying even harder than they had before, and Arianne cried along with them.
"That… that's the saddest thing I've ever heard."
Everyone, shocked, turned to the voice, and saw Articuno, Zapdos, and Moltres, with Palkia and Dialga right behind them; strangely, with leashes on. It was Palkia who had spoken.
"I'm glad you could join us," Arianne said serenely.
"Arianne!" Dialga and Palkia said simultaneously, obviously pleased.
"Hello, you two…" Arianne said, smiling. "And thank you, Moltres, for realizing what was needed in time. And another thanks to you, Articuno and Zapdos, for helping her."
Articuno ruffled his feathers proudly, and Zapdos let out a little burst of lightning, to show her gratitude. "Trust me, Arianne, it was a pleasure to bring these two here," Moltres said viciously.
Everyone except for Gary and Arianne were staring blankly at the new additions. "Are… are they talking?" James asked. "I think I'm hearing voices… are they actually talking?!"
"I think they are…" Topaz said cautiously. "But I can't be sure. Maybe it's a ventriloquist act?"
"No ventriloquist act, Topaz," Topaz gasped when Articuno turned to her and winked. "We actually really do talk. You just can't hear us."
"And besides, no one really understands Pokemon language, or in other words, Articuno's squawking and screeching and so on," Zapdos sneered.
Everyone stared. "I'm going to remember this for the rest of my life," Winona squeaked. "All my life… my goal was to meet… you three, and now I'm talking to you, and I can see you… it's… wow…" Winona said excitedly.
"It's an honor to meet you, Winona… a Gym Leader dedicated to my type," Moltres said. "But I believe that we have come here for something else," she said, looking pointedly at Arianne, who nodded.
"Palkia. Dialga."
The two looked up, almost afraid, then passed it off with a haughty look. "What is it, Arianne?"
"Do you or do you not want to help this young girl?" Arianne asked, unusually stern.
Gary then remembered something that Sam had said in her message. But… just in case Palkia and Dialga hate me enough to let me die… He shuddered. Come to think of it, he had never seen either of the two when he was temporarily in Sam's mind. He had never heard Sam talk about them when she was talking about the other Pokemon she loved and had fun with.
His stomach twisted into a knot. No.
Palkia and Dialga stared back coldly at Arianne. "She means… a lot to you, Arianne?" Dialga asked, speaking first.
"Stupid question!" Phoebe bristled at the two. "Sam is Arianne's daughter!"
"It's okay, Phoebe…" Arianne smiled comfortingly at her. "These two have difficulty in understanding humans. When you deal with them, you need patience."
"Sam has shown more than patience when these two show up," Zapdos said angrily. "Arianne, they're horrible to her!"
"Shut up, living lightning rod," Palkia said cruelly. "And we're not that mean to her."
"Yes, you ARE!" Zapdos screeched. Everyone winced.
"Enough," Arianne said, narrowing her eyes at Palkia and Zapdos. "Palkia, Dialga, I'm going to ask you one more time: do you want to help or not?"
Before either of the two could speak, Gary spoke up. "You two… I know you hate Sam. I'm not questionning why… but… if you help her," Gary took in a deep breath. "If you help her, I'll be so happy. I don't think you care much for us humans, but… it would mean so much if you'd… because she means so much to me…" his voice broke, but no tears came out. "She's everything to me, and if I lose her…"
No one could read Palkia and Dialga's expression… were they softened? Or were they just as determined as ever to say no? Dialga sighed. "We will help."
Gary let out a deep breath. "Thank you."
"Alright," Arianne, smiling hugely, turned to the two. "Get closer, you know what you're supposed to do."
Dialga and Palkia stepped forward, and Gary had to step back, near Steven, who gave him a reassuring pat on the shoulder.
Arianne closed her eyes, and concentrated. "I don't just need Dialga and Palkia," she said tiredly. "I need you three," she said, looking at Moltres and Articuno and Zapdos. "This attack… it's not enough for just the two of them." Then, she looked at everyone else. "I need all of you to think really, really hard. To wish that this will work. If I don't have enough power to complete this…" she left it unfinished.
"We're here, Arianne, and we will help," A deep voice said, from somewhere next to Amber. Amber yelped, then realized that the voice was coming from the Legendary Pokemon, Entei.
Slowly, around them, the other Legendary Pokemon who had appeared previously to help Sam appeared. From behind Gary, Suicune stepped out, one of her tails swishing against Gary's side. The others were in the sky, or forming around Sam.
"I left the MARGE leaders under Ash Ketchum's care," Mewtwo said, a small smile forming. "Let's just say that Pikachu's having a lot of fun right now."
Arianne looked relieved. "I can always count on you, can I?" she said, smiling. "Alright, now, when I command Palkia and Dialga to do their attacks, I want all of you guys," she paused briefly so she could look at all of them. "To hit the two with everything you've got."
Evil grins spread widely across each Pokemon's face, except for Dialga and Palkia, which looked kind of creepy. "Oh, it will be my pleasure," Raikou said happily.
"Looks like Palkia and Dialga weren't very chummy with the other Legendaries, either," Winona whispered to Wallace, who nodded, amused.
"Should I use Flamethrower, or Overheat?" Moltres mused to herself.
"Hyper Beam should do the trick," Rayquaza said.
"Wait, wait, wait," Arianne looked hastily at the Pokemon who looked like they were ready to kill Palkia and Dialga the minute Arianne said 'go'. "You're only supposed to transfer your power to them, and you do that by hitting them with any attack." She looked at Dialga and Palkia. "Neither of you will faint, before you ask, even if Rayquaza overcharged his Hyper Beam."
"Darn it," Articuno said, obviously disappointed.
"Can't you make it hurt… even just a little bit?" Zapdos asked.
"Alright, you guys, enough of that. We have to save Sam, and hurry. So…" she looked at Palkia and Dialga. "Palkia, Dialga! SPIRIT RELEASE."
Palkia and Dialga both emitted a light blue substance, almost like a mist, which wrapped around Sam, and lifted her up. As they did this, the other Pokemon were using various attacks against the two.
Moltres was enthusiastically giving Palkia an overpowered Overheat, but, instead of fainting, the blue mist actually started to get thicker, and even cover Sam completely. "Arianne…" Gary said. "What's… happening?"
"This is an attack I taught Palkia and Dialga. Spirit Release will remove the Spirit Sage entirely from Sam."
The blue mist was becoming almost solid by now. Palkia let out a grunt, and the blue mist started to glow. No one could see Sam anymore. "It's done," Arianne said. Peace settled in Gary's heart.
And then everything exploded.
"Am I… am I really… free?" Sam asked, suddenly feeling lighter than ever. "Or did everything fail and am I floating towards heaven?"
"You will be free," a voice answered. Sam could tell if it was man, or woman. She looked around and saw a light purple formation, that looked almost like smoke with eyes. "And so will I."
"The Spirit Sage," Sam said, immediately recognizing the presense. "I always thought that the Spirit Sage was whoever you were occupying… but you are the true, original Spirit, aren't you?"
"Yes."
"What's going to happen after this?" Sam asked.
"You will regain consciousness, and I will by then have a new host."
"A new host? You mean…"
"It is not possible for me to die, or to be unexisting. I must exist, Sam." The purple smoke shook a little. "I will enter the body that I seem most fitting for me, and the cycle will continue."
"But… the ones there… they're my friends," Sam said, voice barely over a whisper.
"If they are your friends… they will sacrifice for you, regardless."
Palkia and Dialga looked bruised and tired out, and the other Legendaries looked a bit angry and annoyed that they didn't look burned, paralyzed, or frozen, or any kind of damage at all. "And here I was, thinking that at least something would happen," Deoxys said grumpily.
But everyone was crowded around Sam now, hoping that everything was okay.
Gary had Sam's head on his knees again, and he was holding her hands. "Please, please, please…" he muttered.
Suddenly, Sam's body shuddered, and she let out a long breath. "Oh, thank God," Topaz said. Sam opened her eyes. Suddenly, Skye gasped, as if in pain. Everyone turned to him, eyebrows raised. "You okay, there, Skye?" Mason asked, concerned for Skye.
He shook his head. "Nothing… I'm just… tired, I guess," Skye said. Amber didn't like the sound of his voice, but said nothing. "Really," he said, trying to convince Amber.
When Sam opened her eyes, the first person she saw clearly was Gary, and he was nothing less than ecstatic when he saw the clear, amethyst color of her eyes. The color he loved, on the girl he loved. "Ga… Gary…" she said softly. "I'm… really here?"
Amber burst into happy tears, and Phoebe wrapped an arm around Amber.
"Hey…" Gary said softly, and tucked her bangs behind her ear, as they were loosening. "You had us really scared there, Sam…"
"You knew I was going to come back, right?" she asked, reaching for his hand and squeezing it.
"I never doubted that," he reassured her. "I'm just… glad… you're okay," he said, choking up again.
"What's turned you into a crybaby?" Sam teased him weakly. She tried to get up, and found out that she could.
"Come on, there are a lot of people who want to talk to you," Gary said, smiling at her as she linked elbows with him.
"Sam-" Steven stumbled as he walked over to her and hugged her. "You little… you little…" he sighed as he ruffled her hair playfully, as any other big brother would. "If you get yourself in trouble like that again… I'll… I'll…"
Sam wrapped her arms around Steven and grinned. "You'll what?"
He sighed again, but smiled. "Try to get you out of that trouble."
A new pair of arms grabbed her then, and Sam breathed in the familiar, flower-y scent of Phoebe. "Sam, don't ever scare us like that again!" she said sternly, but then broke into a huge smile. "Oh, who am I trying to kid? I'm just glad you're alright!"
It was then that Wallace and Winona practically yanked Sam away from Phoebe and said nothing, just hugged her kind of awkwardly, since hugging with three people isn't exactly comfortable. "Sam… It's my fault!" Wallace and Winona said at the same time.
"Don't talk like that," I said, exasperated. "I'm sure, that everyone here is thinking the same thing. And, technically, it's Team MARGE's fault. Let's leave it at that," she said firmly. Winona smiled, and Wallace just hugged Sam tighter.
"SAM!" Amber screamed as she ran towards Sam, and hugged her tightly. "I thought you were going to… if Palkia and Dialga hadn't… if you didn't… if I wasn't… SAM!" she started bawling. Sam smiled endearingly at her and hugged her back.
Topaz also ran herself into Sam, and was just hugging her tightly. "Please, just… don't do that again." She smiled bitterly. "Gary'd give us a hard time if you weren't here."
Mason and James gave her friendly hugs, and told her pretty much the same thing that Amber and Topaz had mentioned, but the minute she and Skye locked eyes, she felt… something. She couldn't put her finger on it, but there was something different with Skye now, she just couldn't tell. Instead of worrying about it, though, she grinned up at Skye and held out her arms. "Aren't you gonna hug me when everyone else did?"
Skye chucked and hugged her tightly. "Just glad you're back, Sam…"
Sam saw her mother, standing on the side. She grinned. "Mom!" Arianne smiled at her daughter and kissed her gently on the head. "Thanks… for everything."
"It was my pleasure to help you, Sam… but I just want to let you know that I won't be able to contact you anymore." Arianne smiled weakly, and looked a bit sheepish. "You're not the Spirit Sage anymore, right? So… basically… we have no more connection."
"Connection?!" Sam repeated, aggravated. "You're my mother!"
Arianne chuckled. "It's okay, Sam. Besides, I can see that you have a lot of people who will take care of you… and the bonds you form with Pokemon won't break that easily," she reminded Sam, and tilted her head towards the Legendaries. "Just remember, sweetheart, I'm proud of you, and I love you." She turned to Steven. "Take care of your sister, or I'll ground you – even if you're twenty-seven."
Steven grimaced. "Nice, mom, nice."
"I love you Steven…" Arianne said gently. "I wish I had more time to spend with you, but you can't." she held up her arms helplessly.
"Arianne, wait!" Gary said. Arianne turned to him, a questionning look in her eyes. "Er, I was just… thinking…"
Gary leaned down so he could whisper in Arianne's ear, blushing furiously. Arianne blinked; shocked. "You're a little bit young for that," she hissed, but smiled all the same.
"I know, but I was just asking, you know in adavance…" he tried explaining. Sam looked at the two, eyebrows raised.
"What secret are you two keeping from me?" she asked, watching as Gary's face turned even redder.
"Oh, something you will know in the future, Samantha," Arianne winked. "Alright, gotta go… people to meet, places to go!" she smiled at everyone. "Sam, Steven… I love you both. And Gary…" she sighed. "Alright, fine, YES."
Then she disappeared.
"What did she mean by 'yes'" Steven and Sam asked at the same time.
Gary shrugged, an evil expression on his face, but also slightly happy. "Like what she said, something you'll know in the future." He smiled easily at the two, who both narrowed their eyes at him. Gary chuckled at the similarity in their faces. Sam turned around and saw all of the Pokemon. She smiled at them.
"I… just want to thank you all."
Everyone let out a loud exclamation at the same time, and Sam had to cover her ears. "Guys, guys, slow down…"
"Moltres, you go first," Kyogre said from the ocean.
"Speaking on behalf of the group…" Moltres' eyes twinkled. "We're so glad you're fine, Sam. We'll be keeping in touch," she said. Sam thought of something just then, and went up to Moltres to whisper in her ear.
"Lot of that going around," Steven said, rolling his eyes.
As Sam leaned back, Moltres nodded, smiling. "Zapdos, Articuno. Come here for a minute."
Sam walked back to the group, a small smile on her face. "Winona, you might wanna stand near them for a minute."
"Huh? Why?" Winona asked, confused.
"Just because," Sam said.
Meanwhile, Zapdos, Articuno, and Moltres were standing close together, and then a light gold light shone from them. They stepped back, and looked directly at Winona. "Winona?" Articuno said. "We, as bird Pokemon, would like to thank you for your dedication and such to us… and we'd like to give you a little something to remind you of us."
Winona, trembling, stepped forward as the trio stepped back, revealing a beautiful necklace on the ground. The only décor on the necklace, however, were three feathers; one, a light golden yellow with flames at the end that didn't seem to burn the skin, or feel hot at all; in the center, a blue, downy feather with small ice crystals that were on it; and the last was an angular shaped feather, a bright yellow that sparked with electricity that didn't hurt. Winona picked it up, admiring its beauty. "Oh… wow… your feathers," she said, her breath catching in her throat.
Sam smiled. "I told them that you were a huge fan, and you are… right?"
"THANK YOU!" Winona said, whether speaking to the trio or Sam, no one knew.
Sam was smiling when she felt Gary pulling on her shirt sleeve. "Gary?"
"Can we talk?" Gary asked, gesturing to an open space that was right at the edge of the island, kind of like a beach, only rocky. Sam smiled at him.
"Sure," she said easily, and they walked over to the space, and sat down. The others noticed this, of course, and smiled to themselves, but the Pokemon, especially Articuno, decided that private time was… well, private time.
"Hey, Winona, bet you've never rode on a bird fueled with electricity, huh?" Zapdos said, and bowed under Winona so she could ride on Zapdos' back.
Rayquaza, after a nod from Articuno, coasted downwards and landed on the ground. "Who's up for the roller coaster ride of their life?"
Who couldn't say no to that?
Gary looked at Sam, who was watching as the sun rose from the horizon. "It's been a very long day… or night," Sam said.
"Yeah…" Gary looked at the sun, and smiled to himself. "You know what? Now… now we don't have anything to worry about," he said quietly.
"Hm?" Sam laughed. "You think so?"
"We have… forever… how long we last… to each other," Gary said seriously. Then he leaned down and smiled at her. "I plan on spending the rest of forever with you, you know."
Sam blushed, and turned away. "Forever?"
"Forever." He kissed her gently on the lips, not as long as the other kisses, but just as sweet. "Guess you figured out what your mom meant by 'yes', hm?"
It all clicked together. "GARY! You didn't… oh, you DIDN'T!" she said, eyes wide.
He held up his hands, in a surrendering gesture, and smirked. "I only asked your mom if she minded if I spent forever with her youngest and only daughter," he said, trying to look innocent.
"You- GARY!" she yelped. "Darnit, what if I meet someone else for next years of my life?"
He shrugged. "Hey, it's really up to you. I have met more girls than you will ever know ever since I started my Pokemon journey. I had a cheerleading squad that followed me around. But no girl… not any of the girls I've met interested me the way you interest me."
Sam pouted. "You're making me feel guilty, Gary! I haven't been with any guy at all since you! The only other guys I've ever met were Skye, Mason and James!"
He laughed. "You wanna walk around the regions and see if any one else likes you like I love you?"
"I don't think I'll find anyone like that, Gary," Sam said confidently.
"Thought so," he smiled at her, and closed his eyes as he kissed her again, swearing never to forget this moment… forever.
Just Being Purple is now officially FINISHED. I have mixed feelings about that! It's like… I'll have nothing else to look forward to… well, there's always the sequel!
I CRIED WHILE I WAS TYPING SAM'S (FINAL) GOODBYE. I mean, really… wouldn't you cry if someone said that to you?! Would you or wouldn't you! And I basically just typed what I would say to my crush should I die and leave him with so much more for me to say to him. Hahaha.
Right… so… there's still an Epilogue for you guys to read. Click the button, and let the show begin.
Ja~