Chapter 25: Where We Belong (Epilogue)

Thank you. Thank you all… so very much.

"I keep telling you big guy, it was no problem for me. Don't know if these guys broke a sweat, but-"

"Shut up Axel."

It's because of you that my son is here… alive… and safe. Thank you. Your courage and your strength have given me my family back. Thank you. I… owe my life to you all.

"Whoa, whoa, I didn't think you were the huggy type!"

Is… this not what humans do to express their affection?

"Well-"

"Ah, keep going. It's fine, dude."

"Um… you're… w-welcome, Mister… uh…"

Ah, I've forgotten. You may call me Zephyros."

"That's your name?" I asked reflexively. The revelation had snapped me out of my daze and made my eyes open wide. I found myself leaned up against a tree next to my very dilapidated birth nest. A tepid tropical breeze blew past me, complimenting the orange sky remarkably well. The warm feeling of a summer night sifted through my feathers, invoking a calmness without peer. I looked forward to blush when seven pairs of eyes met mine. They were all there. Amy, Jet, Vanessa (all back in human form), Axel, Lucan, dad (or "Zephyros", apparently), and even Mew-Mew had made a full recovery, now sitting on Axel's head and chomping on a muffin. Dad was looking over his shoulder at me and I could see the faintest hint of a disbelieving smile turn into an open-mouthed grin. "Father…"

"Ven!" I heard two high-pitched voices squeal just before Amy and Lucan launched their surprise hug attack pattern. It felt like a pair of insects had landed considering my size, but I still wrapped my wings around the two of them as they laughed away like children.

"You had me scared there, 'ya big jerk!" Amy said, giving my blubbery body a playful punch.

"Hahahaha," I chuckled. I squeezed her and Lucan tight, relishing in the pure happiness shredding off of them. I began translating my speaking voice in Amy's head when I spoke again. "Gotta keep you on your toes."

"Welcome back, Ven." Lucan said. "I'm glad you're safe."

"Same for you little buddy." I stroked the back of his head with a feather finger. He cooed delightfully.

"Ventus," I swerved my head when I heard the familiar voice in a not-so-familiar vocal format. My heart liquefied when I saw the larger Lugia bear down on me with that quivering grin… and watering eyes. Water rushed up to my own eyes as a frown forced itself onto my face. Without another thought, my legs responded and I leapt for him, Amy and Lucan being thrown aside in the process. I didn't care, they hadn't waited thirteen and a half years for this.

My head plowed into his chest as the tears broke the floodgates for both of us. We wrapped one another in our wings. I tasted my salty tears as they washed down my face and onto his soft chest feathers. Some of which could have been his. He held me tight as if I'd be stolen away again if he let go. I held just as strong as joyful sobs bubbled out of my throat. After so long, after so much pain, after so much yearning for a family, a father, and someone who would love me always, the moment was here. I couldn't form words. I don't know how long we remained that way. Maybe an hour. All I know was I could do nothing but sob and cry in pure joy. I felt gentle strokes and pats on my back as I let it all out. We'd met before in my dreams and all, but this was different. This was… real. My dad was here. I was home. That was all that mattered.

"It's alright Ventus," dad said in between sobs of his own. "You're home now. Everything's alright."

"Then why're you crying?" I shot back laughing and choking back a wail at the same time.

"Haha!" Dad and I joined together in a good laugh. I… don't think I could have been more content. I sniffled as dad sent his paternal love via telepathy to me. It felt good and I returned the favor. The sheer glee in our smiles could make Vanessa's heart melt. And I'm pretty sure it was.

"I love you Ventus."

"Love you too… dad."

"Welp!" I heard Axel's voice and a pair of hands clapping. Dad and I reluctantly looked over to the bored-looking hybrid to see what he wanted. "As fun as this is, we better get down to business! I gotta get moving!"

I narrowed my eyes in annoyance at him, as did everyone else except for dad and Lucan.

"Just like that?" I asked.

"Yup." He said, putting his hands behind his head in relaxing pose. "What? The adventure may be over for the rest of you, but I gotta go back in time and help you all over again. Bi-Bi and Mew-Mew are just about ready to pack it up, so you guys better say your goodbyes too so we can open some portals!"

"So… what? You're just gonna leave? After all we did? Not even going to rest for a bit?"

"Hey, this was fun and all, but I got lots more adventure waiting for me. After I'm done with you guys, I gotta head to Sinnoh to stop a team hell-bent on taking over the world by my own wits and a limited assistance. Just another day for Axel Igaul."

"You're unbelievable," Vanessa scoffed. Axel shot her a wink.

"Y'got that right. And for your information, I can't wait. The walls between worlds are building up again. And I can only keep Mew-Mew's attention for so long. Once I open these portals up, they'll be your last shot to get back home."

"WHAT?!" The humans shouted. I looked up at dad and he nodded.

"By the way," Axel continued. "Is anyone gonna tell Ventus?"

"Tell Ventus what?" I blinked at him. Vanessa marched over to me and removed a circular make-up kit from her pocket. She opened it with a click, revealing a mirror and my eyes widened.

My feathers, my mask, my plates, and even my tail spikes were all the hues that a Shadow Lugia would have. I was still coloured a harsh violet. Horror spiked in my chest, but it was swiftly crushed beneath a reassuring wing coming around me.

"It's alright Ventus. He's gone."

"B-But what-?"

"Look at your eyes." I did and I blinked in confusion at them. My eyes had whites again. The irises were still red, but it was the usual tone of red, not the blood crimson of Ed's. Dad nodded and pulled me in again. "I used my Surge of Soul to flush that shadow out of your body and put a block on your mind and that of Zapdos' body. The shadow left your body and I used my Surge of Soul to destroy it. He has no control over you anymore. He's dead Ventus."

"But why do I still-"

"I'm not sure, but the effect on your body was permanent. But it doesn't matter Ventus." I looked up at him to find a kind smile as he stroked my back. "You're you. And that is all I care about."

I smiled as my heart once again turned to putty. I hugged dad again with all my strength.

"Thank you… dad."

"As touching as that is, what exactly was that thing?" Vanessa asked, crossing her arms. "I'm glad everything's hunky dorey, but I'm still confused."

"It's a long story." I explained. She looked at me as if I'd grown a third wing. "I… was in his mind for a while. And-"

"Long story? Forget it then. His name was Ed, he was an ass, 'nuff said!" Axel said just before snapping his fingers. "Let's gooooo people. I want to get out of here and have a nap!"

Mew-Mew's ears flicked at the sound of that snap and she sprang into action. She stuck the muffin in her mouth to hold it and clapped her paws. I felt a swirling vortex of air and there was a flash of light, forcing my eyes shut. When I managed to pry them open again, there was a surprised flinch to be had when I saw four separate 'gates' of whirling cobalt energy across from us. They seemed to be tears in the very air itself. I recognized them as different kinds of portals which my dad had once attempted to use before I stopped him.

"Amy, the far left one's for you." Axel said as he got the info from the feasting Mew-Mew's head. "It'll take you right home." Amy was about to ask how Mew-Mew knew where to put her, except Axel gave her a smirk and she inferred that the cat had read her mind. She quieted down. "The one next to that is for Jet, the next is Vanessa, and the far right is for lil' ol' me." He looked back at me. "Anything I should know before I head back here and turn back the clock a few months with Bi-Bi?"

"Yes." Vanessa cut me off. She was writing something on a slip of paper and sauntering towards Axel. She handed the paper to him when she was done. Amy seemed to recall something as well and dug into her pockets and removed a familiar pamphlet. She handed it to him as well. Axel stared at them with a quirked brow.

"And what're these."

"That's my private line." Vanessa explained. Axel shot her a smug look and she went redder than a tomato. "Not a word. You're gonna need it. Just… trust me."

"And that's something you've gotta give to us right before you say goodbye," Amy said, tapping the pamphlet. "It's what allows us to meet you."

"Ah. So I know what to blame then." He said, depositing both into his pockets. "Ventus?"

I nodded and with a compressed telepathic explanation, I told him the information he would require when he met us in the past. I told him what he told us then and remembered to insert a message telling him not to tell us anything else.

"Got it!" he tilted his head up. "So, I'm gonna head home and get some stuff, then I come back here in the past to tell your dad that I'm going to get you. Then I head to your world and aim for Amy's place, right? And find out all the info I can on something called the paranormal creatures society, that right?"

"Yes."

"So… what's the significance of the word 'Luna'?"

"Nothing. Now, remember, catch Entei, explain what you can, and get your butt out of there. And no matter how much I moan, no matter how much I try to convince you otherwise, it's imperative that you leave without me."

"Why?"

"Trust me. You'll see why, just trust me." He shrugged. "One more thing…"

"Yeah?"

"Who are you, Axel? Really?"

"Haha, that's a story for another day, Ventus. Alright then. It's off to my world where more adventure and grandeur awaits!"

"WAAAIT!" A scream broke out from behind me. All heads turned to follow Lucan running towards Axel as fast as his tiny legs would carry him. He leapt toward the hybrid and Axel caught him, looking surprised at the sudden outburst. Lucan was grinning even more broadly than me. "Lemme come with you!"

"Huh?" Amy quirked a brow, clearly perplexed at why anyone would deign to go with Axel of their own free will. Honestly, I couldn't share her feelings.

Because I had seen this coming.

"Sorry?" Axel responded.

"I-I promise, I won't slow you down! And I'll help you out with those Pokémon battles you told me about!"

"Uh, Lucan, you do realize that you may never come back here again, right? I'm not a taxi service."

"Ahem," went Mew-Mew.

"Mew-Mew's not a taxi service."

Lucan's face darkened at this. "I know. And-" he looked at me with those cute dot black eyes. "I love Ven and I love Zephyros too… and I know I only left to go and find Ven, but-" His face brightened to an ecstatic shine. "-you taught me so much Axel. All my moves were cool to learn and you also taught me… that I can be strong! I like that feeling. I liked fightin' with 'ya Axel, it was the time of my life. And… I'd love to be part of your family, if you'll let me."

Amy and Jet were staring at the mouse with bittersweet expressions. We'd been through a lot with the mouse and he'd always been a faithful friend. But he had already made his choice, I could tell. So, as a friend, there was only thing to say.

"Come on Axel." I encouraged. "Can you resist that face?"

"Ven!" The Pikachu's eyes shimmered in the glance he gave me. I nodded with a grin. I was happy for him. I really was.

"Lucan," dad spoke up. "You've grown on your quest. You helped me bring my son back and you've kept me company for these years I have been without him. For that, I am truly thankful. You've helped my son find where he belongs." Dad nodded. "And I believe you have found where you belong. With Axel. I'll always think of you as a part of our family as well." I think Lucan was about to burst into tears as well. "But that shouldn't stop you from joining another. Good luck Lucan."

"Zephyros…" Lucan said, lip quivering. He wiped the tears from his eyes. Determination replaced them. "So, whaddya say, Axel."

"BWAHAHAHA! I was never against it." The half-legendary ruffled Lucan's head. "Sure thing! I'll gain a new little brother, an electric powerhouse, and a battery for when the power goes out at home. Kidding on that last part, but it'll be fun." Axel reached into his pocket and removed a pokéball from within that had a green top and a silver bottom, showing it to Lucan. "You know what this is?"

"Yeah. I gotta go inside those right?"

"Correctimundo!"

"Does it… hurt?"

"Not. A. Bit."

"Okay then!" Lucan shouted before he pumped a fist in the air. He spun around to face the rest of us. "Goodbye Ven. Goodbye Zephyros." Dad and I waved and made our feelings of gratitude and love known in our own special way. "Goodbye Amy and Jet! It was great being with you guys!"

"Bye Lucan!" Amy said. "You were awesome!"

"Bye Lucan." Jet mumbled, sheepishly.

"Bye Vanessa!" Lucan waved. She didn't respond. Lucan understood and returned to Axel. "I'm ready."

"Alright-y." Axel let Lucan go and the electric type landed on his feet. The hybrid tossed the pokéball gently at the Pikachu. As we expected, the rodent was converted to energy and sucked inside, offering no resistance as the ball gave a couple of rolls and clicked shut. In an astonishing move of… being Axel, the Pokémon trainer picked up the sphere, spun around and posed to no one in particular. "And here's a big welcome to the family for Lucan!"

"You're such a pain." Vanessa said. Axel blew her a kiss.

"I think I'll miss messing with you most of all, Vanilla. Zephyros. Nice meeting you. Ventus, keep it real. Amy and Jet, lovely working with you."

"Y'know," Vanessa said, sliding in between Axel and his ride home. "I never did get to pay you back for spitting in my face."

"I said sorry."

"Insincerely."

"Since when does that matter?"

"Hmph." She then glanced at me. "Seeya Venny dear. It's been real. Hope you have a great life you two!"

"Thank you." Dad said.

"Thanks Vanessa. You were a big help," I followed up, saying what was truly on my mind.

"Bye Jetty," Vanessa continued. She winked. "Don't go falling for anyone else now." If there existed a deeper shade of red on Jet's face, it was imperceptible to the living eye. "Bye Amy. Believe it or not, I had fun."

"Yeah… let's have that fight sometime!" Amy said, pumping a fist at the thief. Vanessa gave her a friendly thumbs up.

"Group hug?" Axel taunted. Vanessa, satisfyingly, delivered unto him an extremely justified slap on the face. The smack broke the sound barrier and the imprint left on the hybrid's face calmed me in a demented sort of way. "Maybe when I see you next time, you insufferable twit!"

"BWAHAHAHA!" Axel was no worse for wear, it seemed. "Next time? We'll be worlds apart, missy!"

"Hmm, will we?"

"What does that mean?"

"You said your world was full of adventure and grandeur?"

"Yes…"

"Well…" she winked at him and stuck her tongue out. "I am a treasure hunter. And there's a whole new world of plundering to set out on. Without my parents siphoning my funds off. I'm not gonna say goodbye Axel. Because I plan on getting my dues. One way or another."

She then dashed into the portal without another word. Axel's portal.

That was the first and last time I saw Axel gape at something in pure disbelief. The look faded into rage as he charged for the portal as well.

"OH NO! She is NOT messing with any of my stuff! Bye everyone! Let's go Mew-Mew!"

And it was goodbye to the hybrid as well as he ducked into the light, taking his muffin-munching cat Pokémon with him. That specific portal then began to shut, closing in on itself like a black hole.

"WAIT!"

"DON'T LEAVE WITHOUT US!"

Before it diminished completely, however, a pair of voices broke out from within the forest. Butch and Cassidy burst from the foliage seconds later, dashing towards the portal with all their might. I felt my dad's anger spike when he realized these two had once made me suffer, but I sent a calming mental massage his way, assuring him that they were truly no threat. They couldn't be if they tried. And they have.

Unfortunately for Team Rocket, the portal disappeared completely before they could reach it. They groaned. However, a device in Butch's hand began to blink when he neared the portal meant for Vanessa. He looked at it, grinned, and showed it to Cassidy. The two giggled giddily as they walked towards it.

"Massive amounts of energy through here Cassidy. We could use it for the boss!" Butch explained.

"Mmmhmm," Cassidy mumbled back. They both then whirled back to us. "Prepare for trouble, hot as the sun!"

"Make it double, we're skipping this one!" Butch finished just as he grabbed Cassidy's collar and dragged her into the portal which then disappeared just like its counterpart had.

That brought a thought to my mind. That energy they detected must have been the medallions while they were in our world. But that would mean the portals would have to go back in time to just before I was captured by the P.C.S. Back when Amy, Jet, and Vanessa had gone missing from their families' perspective. Did the portals go back through time as well? Why? So their families wouldn't miss them? Had it been a final gift from Mew-Mew? Or from another party involved in the portal-making process? Alas, I never knew.

"Well, my turn, I guess." Jet declared happily, losing his speech impediment for a minute as the collective happiness shared by everyone here bore itself before us in his smile. He bowed to dad in a gesture that almost made me burst out laughing. "It was an honour meeting my island's saviour. You… probably don't remember- It was a hundred years ago, after all."

"Ah, you must be a descendant of those on the island about to be crushed by the tsunami."

"Uhhhh…" Jet gaped. My father chuckled.

"Back then, the portals were more… open, able to be accessed by anyone. My mate and I- we went there as a… vacation, I suppose you would call it."

It's amazing what faces one can make when they figure out how their people's culture was formed.

"A… vacation."

"Yes. Your people were in danger. There was no reason not to help. And…"

"And…?"

"My mate… enjoyed the heroism."

Okay, that time I giggled. Jet nearly fell over out of awkwardness and Amy was scratching her head in bewilderment.

"Ventus, what is it?" Dad asked.

"You saved a culture to impress your wife?" Amy spluttered.

"I had… proper intentions in mind as well, of course."

I laughed harder than I should have. The happiness in the air was overwhelming. I guess when you peeled back the loneliness, my dad was a joker at heart. I still had a lot to learn about him, but I was already liking the idea of not having a serious father all the time.

"I… think I should go now." I don't think Jet would be telling his dad this story. I think it might kill Rallis. "Bye Ventus. Bye Zephyros, sir. B-Bye Amy."

"Bye Jet. Thank you. What you did was… courageous. And I mean it. Thanks, from the bottom of my heart." I told him truthfully. It was weird. This goodbye felt… good. But not in a bad way. It was hard to explain, but there was no sorrow now. There was no room with all this love everywhere.

"It was my pleasure. It was fun."

"Bye Jet! You were a cool dude. Look me up back home, okay? I'll introduce you to pizza and bowling." Amy followed up. She held her fist out and he bumped it with his. With another wave, he dived into his own portal.

And then there was one.

"I'll… go check on the medallions," dad said as he took his wings off of me. "I put them away before you woke up."

"Okay dad," I nodded as he went to work. I appreciated the sentiment. You didn't need telepathy to tell Amy wanted to be alone. She walked up to me and gave me such a galvanic stare with those beautiful brown eyes.

Amy. My first companion. My first friend. My best friend. What else was there to say that hadn't already been said? Despite what I've said about the goodbye being happy, the sadness returned to weigh us both down. We still smiled. Reflecting on all our time together helped lighten the load of sorrow. That and the hug she gave me.

"We never did go to a real baseball game together. Our last one got interrupted."

"I remember, Amy. I was there."

"Yeah." I could hear her getting choked up. The stubborn human refused to show it. "Am I ever gonna see you again?"

"If I'm lucky."

"Seriously. I… you know how I feel by now… I might as well have screamed it at the beach… you giant monster."

"Hahaha!" We shared that. "Of course I do… you puny human."

"High and mighty now, are we?"

I nuzzled the top of her head.

"Never say never, Amy. Maybe Mew-Mew will want to visit Mister Other Lugia sometime."

"Yeah."

"Amy, I just want to-"

"Shut up. I know."

Of course she did. I looked into her orbs as I stroked that brown hair which had sprung into a frizzy mess with all that had gone on today. I bopped her nose with my beak and she giggled cutely.

"April the sixth. That's when you showed up on that beach. I'll force the family into celebrating."

"Oh, you have to force them?"

"Well… you're not THAT great."

"Meanie."

"Seriously though… when I'm… y'know… a distant memory, pop me a thought now and again, okay?"

"Amy-"

"You had to have thought of it!"

"I know." I stroked her hair again. "But listen… the way I feel now? That will never change. And Amy… I will see you again. That I promise."

"Know what?" She patted my neck roughly. "I believe you."

"Of course you do."

"You really are high and mighty."

"Well, I think I can take you one-on-one now."

"Oooh, hiding behind your size and strength! Where have I heard that before?"

"Look in a mirror?"

"'Scuse me?"

"Hahahaha!" Another shared laugh.

"Well, this is it, I guess," Amy murmured, a banner of a smile painted across that face. "You said it isn't goodbye, so I won't say it."

"As you shouldn't."

We winked at each other… and she disappeared to go back to her normal human life once more, though she was anything but.

And that's pretty much my story. I could go on about the wonderful days I've had with my dad so far. Here's the gist of it. It gets better every day. My dad loves me, but that isn't stopping him from putting me through intense father-son training sessions. We have some time to catch up on. I come home to the cave exhausted every night. I thought I knew how to fly well, but apparently I was a fledgling in comparison to what dad wanted. Hard work. But it's fun. Dad and I joke around, take a few breaks for berries and he's even introduced me to my extended family. Aunt Articuno is helping me with my combat skills. I think I'm getting better. Dad disagrees, but I think he's just bitter because I managed to give him a run for his money last night. It's easy to camouflage yourself in the dark when you've got the feathers I've got. Dad and I do I lot together. Even dream. It's everything I could ever want… this new life.

Dad's spent a few nights telling me about mom. How they met. How she loved me. And him. I nearly end up crying every time. Don't worry. It's out of joy.

And we got a letter zapped to us from a certain hybrid today. He's doing well. He's done helping us out in the past and has moved on. Lucan shot us a hello too. Sounds like he's having the time of his life.

Oh, dad's calling me. Wonder if it's about this Manaphy migration he keeps telling me about. I need to go. Apparently, it's beautiful and it only happens once every thousand years. I… suppose I'll leave it at this:

My name is Ventus. Some call me Zack. I've found where I belong. And it's fantastic.

Wait, that's right, I never did explain what the shadow was. What Edward was. Well, like I told Vanessa, it's a long story.

A story I intend to tell.

After a few Oran Berries with my dad.

End of Where I Belong: A Tale of Legendary Birds!

…

…

…

…

…I

…I….

…I….

…

I…

…alive…

…barely…

…hate

…

… brat…

…I… was careless…

…reckless…

…stupid…

…full legendary…

…too much…

…

…

…perhaps…

…time to lower…

…standards…

…

…

…

…see you…

…soon…

Axel…