Hello there and welcome to the very last chapter of this story! I'm getting all sentimental thinking about it. Gah. This chapter should hopefully wrap everything up. I know I had a few little loose ends so hopefully I'll be able to tie them all up in this, and end it smoothly.
Here we go! I hope you enjoy! :D
Chapter 37: A Vow for the Future
"I'm sorry Miss White! I promise I'm hurrying; just keep it sucked in!" Concordia tugged, Anthea pulled, and White staggered in the middle, trying not to fall over or pass out from the lack of oxygen.
Everything had been moving so fast the past month that White felt like she'd been lightheaded constantly, and having the two sisters pull relentlessly on strings tied to the corset of her wedding dress, nearly suffocating her in the process, was not helping.
"Hurry up," she wheezed weakly. "I'm dying."
The two girls giggled, pulling tighter before tying her up in a whirlwind. They took their hands off of her, carefully standing back and observing their work as if they thought she'd break if they moved too quickly. White puffed for a moment, trying to learn how to breathe in such a confined space. The dress had belonged to… Arceus, White couldn't even remember. Maybe it was Ghetsis' mother's, or maybe it was his mother's mother's, or maybe it was his father's sister's? She'd lost track.
It was a stunningly beautiful white dress, strapless and flowing as it hugged her figure before fanning out to the ground, a train longer than she would've ever imagined a dress having spread out behind her. Clear shining beads made fancy patterns on her chest and light wispy ribbons of fabric spiraled down her arms. Whoever in the Harmonian family this dress had been originally made for had been tiny as hell. Although, she had indeed fit, and she'd be dipped if she didn't look beautiful.
She turned in the mirror, observing herself from both sides before smiling brightly. She didn't care who the dress belonged to now; it looked like it'd been tailor made for her.
Over the past month, in preparation for the wedding, White had done her reading on the Harmonian family. Part of it she'd done of her own free will, and part she'd done on Ghetsis' request, saying that she needed to know some things before she could be crowned into the family.
Parts of it were fascinating, such as how she learned apparently where Ghetsis had gotten his more… brutal side from. His great uncle had been poisoned by his great aunt, his great-great cousin had been sacrificed as a baby for the wrongdoings of his great-great grandfather, even Ghetsis' father had been murdered at the hands of one of the family, although it was still unknown who. White had her suspicions about Ghetsis' aunt, but she wasn't going to say anything.
Their family history was like some sort of twisted fairy tale, and she was enthralled by it. Each Harmonia was branded upon birth with the crest. She'd had Ghetsis show her his mark and in running her hands over the purple and raised scar tissue on his back, depicting the family crest, she couldn't help but be amazed.
He really was a king in a royal family. They had customs, rituals, codes, and even a few centuries back had ruled over an impressive number of civilians and a large expanse of land which was now where the Pokémon League resided, stretching all the way over and down to Mistralton City. It was amazing. White could see why Ghetsis would've wanted to take over the world after hearing of the quick decline of the Harmonias.
He probably felt angry, in a way, that his family was no longer the force that they used to be. And while sympathizing with a criminal was not one of the things she'd ever thought herself to do, she could see where he'd been coming from.
Although, aside from the storybook-like history of his family, there were parts that were just as boring as any manuscript.
The rules went on for pages upon pages and White felt herself drifting in and out of sleep as she tried to read them all. There were some that seemed obvious, such as number eight-oh-one stating that no member of the Harmonian family should leak internal information and intelligence to outside sources. While others seemed incredibly odd, such as number one thousand fifty-two stating that no member of the Harmonian family, male or female, should partake in eating meats from the Johto region. She'd asked him why and he'd shaken his head, telling her it was a long story and she didn't need to worry about it. And that if in years in the future she still wanted to know, he'd tell her.
Luckily, she didn't need to memorize those rules. And for that she was eternally grateful. She read through the Harmonian code, and Ghetsis pointed out which lines she'd need to memorize for both the wedding and her own coronation as Queen. There was an entire section of the book dedicated to bringing members into the Harmonian family, and while it seemed endless, White thought that actually, it was rather reasonable.
She luckily fit all of the pre-requisitions, such as being born in the region of Unova, not having relations with any Harmonian men rather than Ghetsis, not being previously married, and having a good reputation with various people and organizations throughout the region. She wasn't sure what she would've done had she not met those standards… but she figured she didn't need to focus on that.
The lines she needed to memorize were relatively simple. Some sounded almost like wedding vows, while some were in an ancient language that apparently the Harmonian family continued to use. Ghetsis knew the language by heart and White's eyes had bugged in amazement as he spoke to her in it. It was smooth and yet guttural; something unlike any language she'd heard before, and undeniably beautiful and attractive, in its own respect.
Ghetsis had seemed to nearly burst with pride when he'd learned of how much she enjoyed the language, and eagerly had offered to teach her. She hadn't taken him up on that offer yet, telling him to wait until things calmed down a little, and then she'd accept.
All in all, it'd been a pretty easy and rather interesting experience, delving into Ghetsis' background. She'd successfully memorized her lines by heart, and honestly while she was a little worried she'd get tongue-tied during the ceremony, she was also excited to speak them. It made her feel a little closer to Ghetsis, and a little more official as well.
She still couldn't believe she was going to be a queen but maybe in saying those lines she'd feel a little more… certified.
"You look beautiful, Miss White!" Concordia exclaimed, clasping her hands together and staring dreamily at her future Queen's reflection in the mirror.
"Yes, yes!" Anthea agreed, reaching forward and bushing out a few wrinkles in the dress. "Are you comfortable enough?"
White took a few breaths before nodding. It was tight, still, but she was sure she could get used to it. Plus, she'd only be wearing it for one day and she could grit her teeth for that long at least. "Thank you," White said with a blush, once again admiring her reflection. "For everything. Not just the dress."
"Oh please," Concordia scoffed. "We were happy to do it."
Indeed Ghetsis had been right in saying that Anthea and Concordia would be the perfect two to set up the wedding. While they weren't technically of Harmonian blood, rather adopted, they still knew much more about customs than White or the Sages did –Ghetsis excluded- so they were able to do most of the planning on their own. That, and they absolutely thrived on such an inquiry.
Ghetsis had asked them the day after he and White had become engaged and the two sisters had set to it quicker than lightning. While White's head was still trying to wrap around the fact of her becoming a queen, and also trying to formulate what to announce to the region regarding her training school, the questions came rapid-fire from the sisters.
What flowers did she want? What cake? Who did she want to attend? Did she want to set the seating chart herself? Did she want a ring bearer? Did she want it to be a black tie event? Did she want it outside or inside? They seemed to be endless.
For most of the questions White had shrugged in bewilderment, telling the sisters to do what they thought best. They did have impeccable taste. When she'd laid eyes upon the cavernous room in the castle that would hold their wedding and her coronation, her jaw had nearly dropped to the floor. It was beyond gorgeous… she couldn't even begin to describe how amazing it'd been.
As if peeled from a story book the room was decked in white, lilies and light lacey purple flowers adorned the sides of chairs, the alter, and petals were already scattered on the ground. Fountains spraying crystal clear arcs of water sat behind and on either side of the stand where she'd say her vows and also recite her words for becoming one of the Harmonian family.
The halls of the castle seemed similarly gorgeous. Anthea and Concordia, in all their excitement over the event, had gone above and beyond in their decorations as the white adornings spewed out of the wedding hall and into the rest of the castle. White carpets had been laid down, along with vases full of flowers every few feet upon marble pedestals. White could only begin to imagine the cost, but figured perhaps Ghetsis had the money for it… since he was a king, after all.
Light chiming music rang out and down the halls, although White had no idea where it had been coming from. Swana had been summoned and were fluttering about gracefully, scattering flower petals and readying rice to be thrown.
It was really something so otherworldly that White had to pinch herself to make sure it was real. It was. Anthea and Concordia were just that amazing. She was curious as to why on earth they didn't open a business for events; they'd make a fortune.
Not only that, but in their rush, they'd somehow organized the entire thing in less than a month. Ghetsis seemed pleased by the rush -White had the sneaking suspicion he was afraid she'd back out. However, it was rather unnerving. She'd barely had time to get a teaching license for Ghetsis and herself, make her address to the region with Looker, and open the roster for enrollments before the wedding day came rolling around.
It was all going so fast she could hardly believe it. Even now, looking at herself in the mirror, in the dress, with her hair spiraled intricately with lace and gems, it was hard to believe. Anthea and Concordia had made everything so beautiful; they really needed more credit than they were getting.
A sharp ring brought her out of her slowly clouding thoughts.
"Oh, it seems your X-transceiver is ringing, Miss White!" Anthea said, leaning over and peering at the screen of the contraption sitting on the boudoir. "It's from Looker… and you have a missed message from your mother, one from Bianca, and one from Cheren! I never heard it ring! We really have been busy, haven't we," she giggled, picking it up and handing it to White.
White bit her lip. Breaking the news to her family had gone well in some respects, and yet horribly in others.
She clicked on Looker's message, reading what he'd written. 'New numbers came in. You've got 173 new enrollees as of eight this morning. You sure you can handle that many kids?'
White chocked, sputtering out in surprise as she quickly typed back. 'Are you serious?! That's incredible! Heck yeah I can handle them!'
Perhaps out of all the amazing things that'd been going on since their engagement, the message to the region had been the most incredible.
She'd been shaking in her boots as the TV cameras and newspaper representatives crowded around Looker as he took to the mic that day, telling the press nothing prior aside the fact that he had an announcement to make.
The words had flowed so well out of his mouth, as if he'd been rehearsing them for years. He explained in his blunt and yet reassuring Looker way that Ghetsis Harmonia, previous leader of Team Plasma, was now exempt of any charges, and as far as he was concerned, a free man. He explained that Team Plasma was gone once and for all and he'd had eyes on the inside of the demolition of the organization, as well as an inside man who did some snooping and observation, and promised that Ghetsis was no longer a threat to the region.
She'd heard whispers and concerned mutterings as to who this person was, and without missing a beat, Looker stepped back, shoving White forward and telling the region that the legendary Hero recognized by Reshiram had been his eyes and ears.
She'd stumbled, her heart pounding relentlessly in her ears in nervousness. She had her papers, depicting what she wanted to say, but she was still so nervous she spoke incredibly slow and with a rather shaky voice at first.
She confirmed that yes, she'd been observing Ghetsis close-range for the past two years, and that no, he was no longer a threat. In her own words she described him and his change, and how while yes, in the past Team Plasma had been manipulated by him, but the organization was completely erased now, and he was a changed man.
She wondered if anyone would really believe her. Who would? After what they'd seen and felt firsthand from him and his organization how could they just take her word for it? She prayed to Arceus that she'd said the right thing and that the people of Unova would have an open mind, and by some miracle, they had.
The next day scrawled across newspaper headlines and on reporter's lips was the fact that Team Plasma was gone for good, and from the words of the region's Hero, their leader, was now to be trusted.
She could nearly feel the region buzzing and discussing about whether or not to trust her judgement. As she sat on the bed, reading those books on the history of the Harmonian family, she could just feel it. It felt electric; the entire region completely abuzz about this new information.
Three days after her speech, she'd gone to get her teaching license with Ghetsis. She'd never forget the looks on the clerks' faces when the very tall and daunting figure of the formerly evil organization traipsed into their building to get a teaching license. Their eyes were so wide and they stuttered and stumbled over their words so much so they simply gave up, instead pointing them in the direction of the testing rooms and nodding quietly, staring after the odd pair as they made their way back.
White knew Ghetsis was uncomfortable. His eye roamed more frequently and he was a little more short than usual when they were in public. His way of dealing with an uncomfortable situation was to bark or order people around, make himself as tall and intimidating as possible, and while she'd learned that, she was absolutely positive that snarling at passersby on the street was definitely not helping his reputation any.
Although, he'd only been out twice, she guessed, and hopefully no one had thought too much of his scowls and glares.
They'd both passed the test with flying colors and the day after, she'd officially sent out the information that she'd be opening a new battle institution, situated in the former Team Plasma castle, and accompanied by Ghetsis himself.
She made sure to carefully word her address, picking what she'd say judiciously as she wrote down the information. She didn't focus on his past, or the castle's past, instead depicting him as the second strongest trainer in the region, and that this school would be as elite as you could get.
She'd pondered over names and eventually settled on 'The Plasma Training Institution'. She knew it was a risk, tying in the name of the former organization, but she figured for the sake of the castle, and Ghetsis, it felt right. She was ultimately a guest in the castle, and it'd been completely up to him to donate it for this school. She'd honestly been shocked he had given it up so easily, breaking news of it to the grunts and letting them know that they'd now be aiding in the upbringing and running of the school now, instead of stealing Pokémon.
Surprisingly enough, they seemed… excited? Maybe. White swore they bustled around a little faster and there was a little more spring in their steps. Although, that could've just been because they were finally given something to do after being idle for so long.
And by some miracle, it appeared something had worked well. Whether it was Looker and her address to the region, the reports on the news and in newspapers, or maybe even just plain curiosity from the public, the next day she got a message from the League giving her her first statistics on enrollment.
Forty six. Forty six people had signed up. Most were teenagers, although some were younger kids who'd just received their Pokémon and hadn't really known the true reign of Team Plasma in the first place. White was sure parents were probably shocked and had most likely tried to convince their children to attend a different school, but kids were headstrong.
Most of the enrollment letters sent in from the kids said that they were excited to be taught by such powerful trainers. Apparently she'd focused on the correct things in her announcement. The kids wanted to be trained by someone proven to be strong, not just any battle school; in fact, some even said they weren't planning on attending any type of school at all but their minds had been changed when they heard that they could be taught by the Hero of Unova.
It warmed her heart and made her skin tingle with excitement. Not only did she have a good hunk of students to teach, but people were also overlooking Ghetsis' past, most likely because of the good word she'd put in on his behalf.
It was nothing short of elating.
And now, just a little while later, Looker said she had one hundred and seventy three new students. She couldn't have asked for a better turnout. In fact, while she was determined to make sure she could teach that many… at the same time she was worried she couldn't. She and Ghetsis were the heads of the school, Anthea and Concordia –who had also both proven themselves to be skilled in battle- volunteered to do some classes on healing Pokémon and taking care of them during and after combat, and the grunts were, of course, there to be match opponents and to help out with whatever else was needed but still… the start date for the institution was over a month away and she already had almost two hundred…
Surely they could make it work, though.
She clicked down to Bianca's message. 'Hoh! I'm running so late! I'll be there I promise I will; don't start without me!'
White snorted down at the screen and shook her head lovingly. Bianca was sweet, but she'd be late to her own funeral. The blonde was her maid of honor, and also had wanted to be there for helping White get ready. Well… she'd already missed the latter but hopefully she'd be there for the ceremony, standing tall behind her.
Her mother's message was next. 'I just arrived sweetheart. They wouldn't let me back to see you! I can't believe it! I'm heartbroken I won't get to see your beautiful face before you're all dolled up. Make sure you're eating and drinking lots of water. Be careful honey; I'll be waiting when you're done dressing. Love you!'
White smiling lovingly down at her transceiver. Unfortunately, something that went along with Harmonian customs was not allowing any family to see the bride before she was ready to be presented, not just the husband. White for a moment wondered why Anthea and Concordia were allowed, since they were technically family, but in thinking of what sort of mess she'd probably look like without them, decided to keep quiet.
She was incredibly surprised at how well both Bianca and her mother had taken the news. Well, more her mother than Bianca. They'd both basically taken it in stride… however there had been someone who hadn't.
Cheren's message was next. 'You've still got time to back out. I promised Bianca I wouldn't interrupt the ceremony but so help me Arceus if you want me to, I will bring this whole thing down.'
White shook her head, quickly jotting messages back to the three. 'Don't worry Bianca, we won't start without you.', 'I know, I can't believe you can't see me yet either! I really wanted your opinion. Don't worry; I'm fine and staying hydrated. See you in a sec; Anthea and Concordia are almost done!' and lastly, 'Thanks but no thanks Cher. I'm fine; I'm perfectly happy. In fact, I'm more than happy. Take a deep breath and relax and maybe have some fun for once you doof.'
The trip to her home had been a dreaded one. She'd only seen her friends and her mother once since she'd challenged N and been, for lack of a better word, kidnapped, by her now husband-to-be. It was a uniquely horrible situation, ironic in some respects and downright embarrassing in others.
She hadn't expected any of them to take it well, and so in gathering all three of them in her childhood home, and dropping by for a visit with Ghetsis behind her, she'd been pleasantly surprised.
Her mother had opened the door, her eyes bulging and her knees buckling as she craned her neck to look up at the former head of Team Plasma. Cheren had caught her mother, sending a deathly poignant glare up at the man before helping White's mother over to the couch.
Bianca had simply stared, pointing a finger up at him with her mouth agape before she spluttered, "Hey it's that scary guy in the weird robe!" White really wanted to slam her head against a wall in that moment and looked back to see Ghetsis staring at her friend, seemingly uncomprehending of the truly juvenile description he'd received.
It'd been… an awkward conversation. At first, as her mother got over her initial shock, it was just a little stiff. She asked about the weather, her health, what she'd been doing, everyone seemingly avoiding the elephant in the room.
White had been opposed to Ghetsis speaking up during her meeting with Looker, however she'd been sort of hoping he'd take it upon himself to talk with her mother and friends. However, he hadn't said a word, instead staying by her side and quietly watching the conversation go down.
She hadn't gotten the chance to slowly break the news of their… engagement to her family yet before Cheren promptly spit out his tea, spraying it all over the coffee table and sloppily pointing to the ring on her finger. If it'd looked like her mother was going to faint when they'd walked through the door, it definitely looked as if she were going to faint now.
It took a lot of damage control and explanation to get it all out in the open. As far as all three of them knew, White had been held captive by him, before escaping, and then being captured once again. They hadn't known that she'd gone back on her own accord, and while yes, they had watched her and Looker's address to the region, they'd still assumed that White and Ghetsis weren't… exactly civil with one another. Let alone getting married.
Bianca was the first to jump on board. After a while of talking and explaining done by White she stood up and walked over to throw her arms around White, squealing in her typical Bianca way and exclaiming that if White was happy, she was happy, and she was so excited that her best friend was getting married.
That was all it took to get the conversation on a more comfortable track. Indeed, White reassured them that she was beyond happy and that this was truly what she wanted. She was opening her own school and marrying the man she loved; she couldn't think of a single way it could've been better.
Ghetsis still hadn't said a word, and so it'd been a complete shocker when he suddenly stood, politely –or as politely as Ghetsis could be- asking if he could have a word alone with her mother in the kitchen. White's heart raced as her mother stuttered, giving her daughter a worried, if not terrified, look before agreeing.
White wasn't sure what Ghetsis said to her mother in the kitchen then, and he wouldn't tell her, but when they came out again, a new peaceful and proud smile adorned her mother's face and she sat down, telling White that they officially had her blessing.
After that it'd been a breeze with Bianca and her mother. Cheren? Not so much. He yelled more than he didn't, he begged White to tell him that she was kidding, or being held hostage and to blink twice if she was being made to marry him. He cut off all contact from her for a solid week in anger before sending her short and begging calls not to go through with it.
She tried her best to reassure him, to convince him, really just to calm him down, but nothing seemed to work and she had reached the end of her ideas on how to go about it. He just wasn't willing to accept it, but maybe after the ceremony he would be… Although, she still doubted it. She just hoped their friendship could resume where it'd ended. He was a Gym Leader now and it wouldn't look good if there was bad blood between them.
Not to mention she loved him too, as her childhood best friend, and always wanted to be close.
She'd sent invitations to all three of them and surprisingly all three of them said they'd attend. She expected Bianca and her mother, although Cheren was a pleasant surprise. She just hoped he'd stick to his word and not crash the entire thing.
With a sigh White handed Anthea her X-transceiver and the sister put it back onto the table with a happy giggle. "So are you ready?"
White took another glance at herself in the mirror before nodding. "Yeah."
"No, but are you truly ready?" Concordia asked, a seriousness overtaking her tone. White had hardly ever heard the sisters become anything but chipper, but in looking at their faces they looked genuinely worried, or curious, or perhaps just concerned.
White observed them carefully, looking back and forth between them, her mind running carefully over all that was happening before she looked straight into the mirror with a more convincing nod. "Yes. Yes, I am."
She was getting married. She was going to be a queen. She was starting out on a journey not only with Ghetsis but one of her own, finding a career path she was truly happy with. It was turning over a new leaf; a leaf she hoped would stand steady for the years to come. It was all happening so quickly, and such big changes were coming her way that she was sure she'd struggle with them all, even if she was prepared. But it'd be worth it. She'd look back in a year or two and sigh nostalgically, thanking her past self for sticking with it because she was truly happy.
At least, that's what she hoped.
Anthea and Concordia exchanged glances, knowing smiles playing on their faces before they clapped in unison. "Alright!"
"Here you go," Concordia sang, handing White a small bouquet of pristinely clipped and arranged violet flowers.
"And here you go," Anthea piped, standing behind her and gently placing a veil atop her head. All Harmonian women were required to wear veils, although they couldn't cover the face. White wondered what the purpose was, and noted that it seemed like a waste, but in looking at herself in the mirror, the veil cascading around her shoulders, she nodded. Surprisingly, it seemed fitting in some way, as if straying from traditional only slightly.
"This way, dear," Concordia cooed as she quickly dashed to the door, opening it and motioning White to exit. Anthea rushed to White's side, gathering up her train and following her as she left the small and dim dressing room.
White had to squint into the light as she was once again bombarded with the white christenings and accents in nearly every corner of the castle. Outside, just as expected was her mother, biting on her nails nervously. She whirled around at the sound of an opening door, and for a moment locked eyes with her daughter, looking so incredibly amazed as White let a sheepish grin stretch across her face.
And then, she promptly burst into tears.
White rushed forward, her hands hovering over her mother helplessly as she looked for what to do. Crap, she hadn't pictured her mother crying at an event like this. In fact, she wasn't entirely sure if she'd seen her mother cry before. She was quite honestly the strongest woman White knew.
She knew her mother had been put through a variable hell in the past two years because of all the things going on with White, but even then, her mother had taken it incredibly well, thanking Arceus for every moment she had with White and relishing in her daughter's newfound happiness.
Her mother held up her hands, sniffing. "No, no, no, I'll get your dress wet." She looked up, taking deep and yet choking breaths as she brought a handkerchief to her eyes. "Y-You look so beautiful, darling," she said, her eyes shining in what White knew was true pride.
She blushed. "Thank you, Mom." She wanted to say more, something to reassure her mother or something… just to make it all seem calmer, but she couldn't think of the right words so instead she stayed quiet, trying to comfort her mother with her gaze.
"Mrs. White, it's about time for you to be seated. I'm very sorry you weren't able to see your daughter before now and now we're having to rush, but I promise you'll have all the time in the world to visit with her after the ceremony!" Concordia exclaimed, looking at a small watch on the inside of her wrist.
In a whirlwind of tears and well-wishes, White's mother spewed out everything she could, including her love for her daughter and how happy she was for her, before Anthea could quickly usher her off and towards the wedding hall.
White hadn't exactly explained to her mother that she'd be a queen… she hadn't seen the need to. She was positive that it would just shock her further, which the poor woman didn't need. After the ceremony she'd deal with explaining to her what it exactly meant for her to be a Harmonian Queen, which… in all honesty since the family had declined, didn't mean much at all. It was more a title than anything. Although, it did seem to mean the world to Ghetsis.
Her heart did a small excited and nervous thump in her chest. She hadn't seen him all day. Was he nervous too? She knew he was excited and that he'd been waiting for this day for much longer than she could imagine, but surely he was… nervous as well. Although he did have a staggering amount of faith in her.
Concordia giggled to herself. "Alright, it appears with that, everyone's in place… we're right on time!" With that she ushered White, gently taking her by the elbow and escorting her down the hall her mother had just been led down.
They walked for a few moments in silence, White slowly admiring the decorations and trying to keep her nerves at bay. She'd heard of people having wedding day jitters, or cold feet, but what she was feeling wasn't that. She wasn't having any second thoughts at all, rather just a pulsing sensation of anticipation throughout her body. She had never anticipated getting married as young as she was. Sure, she was out of her teenage years but still… she thought her career as a trainer would be her spouse for at least a while longer.
Concordia turned a corner, stopping in front of the two oaken doors that would lead White down the aisle and into her new life.
"Here you are, dear! I wish you the best of luck." She gave her a wink before nodding. "Your cue will come in a moment." She turned on her heel then, sashaying back around the corner and out of sight.
There hadn't been a rehearsal of any sort, which worried White to no end. It was also some sort of Harmonian law that there was to be no mock ceremony, only a real one. White just hoped she didn't trip, or screw anything up.
As she stood in front of those doors her heart began pounding even harder. She swallowed. Everything was going so swimmingly, everything was going in the direction she wanted it to, and everything would be fine. She knew it in her heart, she just wished her nerves would get on board and calm down.
She jumped a mile when the doors jolted to life, creaking open as a trickling and sweet melody hit her ears from the piano inside. Before her was a sight so amazing she couldn't describe, and she was positive she would remember forever.
The wedding hall was breathtaking when she'd seen it before. However now, with throngs of people gathered, it took on an entirely different magnificence.
The music that cued her to walk began and stiffly yet carefully she began her descent down the aisle. Her gaze flicked to the members of the crowd as all eyes were on her. She tried not to cower under the pressure, instead giving a shy smile which made everyone in the room seem to glow with excitement.
Upon observing the crowd, she realized almost if not all of them were grunts. She spotted two Sages in the front row, although she couldn't place which ones, and on the other side of the aisle, front row, sat her mother, still sniffing tearily, a very annoyed-looking Cheren, and to White's surprise, Rosa and Hugh. She'd sent them invitations although she hadn't received a RSVP. She figured they didn't want to come, but by the excited looks on their faces as they watched her walk, she knew otherwise.
Bianca stood alone, in a bridesmaid's dress, bouncing on her toes and giggling excitedly as White sent her a wink. She was the only bridesmaid, and there weren't any groomsmen. They'd decided to keep the wedding completely hush-hush. White figured one day that the region, or even other family and friends would find out about it, but right now, when Ghetsis and Team Plasma were still such touchy subjects, she decided to keep it amongst a smaller crowd… although the grunts were in staggering numbers.
Looker had declined the offer, saying he appreciated the invitation, but figured it would be best if he didn't go. She could understand his thoughts, and reassured him that it wasn't a big deal.
Her thoughts raced and her heart pounded as her eyes slowly trailed to the one person she really wanted to see on this ever-special occasion.
Her breath caught in her throat as she laid eyes upon Ghetsis. He was standing tall, looking as picturesque and kingly as ever as he watched her with the intensity of a hawk. Adorned in a suit that fit him more than just perfectly in her eyes, he looked the part. Royal, and yet handsome. She couldn't have asked for anything more.
She beamed, her eyes surely sparkling as she looked at him and a smile of his own slowly twitched at his lips. She wasn't sure in that moment exactly what he was thinking. His expression was so serious, so intense, so overwhelming, and yet incredibly genuine and soft. She'd never once seen him like that, and figured she never would again. He was the only person that could somehow meld such contradicting emotions into one expression.
He held his hand out to her as she neared, gently grasping her fingers and helping her up the few steps to the altar.
Words escaped him in that moment. His mind was full of nothing but her, somehow forgetting, or rather blocking out everything else, his heart pounding with too many emotions to place. To say he'd waited forever for this moment seemed like an understatement, and now that it was here, he wanted to elongate every second.
She was exquisite. More beautiful than anything on the planet, he was sure. And now, after so much turmoil, she was going to be his. His queen. In her rightful place at his side forever.
She let his hand go, turning to face him and grasping onto her tiny bouquet for dear life.
A moment ago her head had been swirling and her heart had been throbbing mercilessly with nerves but now… just in looking at his seemingly calm features, she was at ease. Her heartbeat slowed, her breathing steadied, and her eyes softened as she stared up at him as if he were the only thing in the world.
Had she been told she would be irrevocably in love with this man in the few years when she'd first met him, she wouldn't have believed it. Not even entertained the idea. If she'd have been told she would be standing across from him, ready to exchange vows and make a life together, she would've thought the idea absolutely insane and quite literally impossible. They'd been enemies. She'd despised him.
And yet here she was, and honestly, she was positive there wasn't anyone else in the world for her, or anywhere else she'd rather be.
"Are you ready, love?" he whispered to her, the corner of his mouth twitching upward and his gaze holding nothing but pure contentment and adoration. Ready. Ready for a life shared and ready for the future they would have together.
She took a deep breath before nodding, giving all that she was to him. "I am."
So there it is, the very last chapter. *sheds a tear* I can't believe it's actually finished. My second story I ever started. Took two and a half years (woo long time) but it's finally completed. I really did contemplate ending this in chapter 19, with a sadder ending, however now I'm happy that I extended it, because happy endings are just nice and fuzzy, no? XD
I just really wanted to thank everyone out there for reading. Whether you read the entire thing, or just the first paragraph I really want to thank you. I could never have imagined the response I got, not in a million years. I was honestly going to be surprised if like five people read this, haha! It's such an unpopular pairing, so I'm so happy to see some others who ship it, or who have an open mind. :D
Just a quick few extra-special shoutouts. To pokeninja6600, Puttylol, Sweettjrose, Let Flygons Be Flygons, ChelseaSienaJosephineCassandra, Bloody NailBunny, crossblade16, Misty Ketchum97, and TheStarsInTheSkyShineSoBright for reviewing and reading and sending me lovely notes and just in general being incredibly awesome people.
Thanks to everyone who supports Gretelshipping, just for being unique and incredible for supporting such a rare and yet lovely ship. Also a gigantic thanks to everyone who has reviewed/faved/or followed this story. You are my favorite people in the world. ;3
And of course, a big shoutout to Creative Curve, the mother of all Gretelshipping, for sending some nice words and supporting this story. She's just amazing.
Whew, that was a lot to say. XD I know that Ghetsis was quite OOC in this story, it was sort of my intention, as I couldn't see a canon Ghetsis falling in love. That being said, if you are looking for any more Gretelshipping to read, at least from me, I would like to send you over to my "Two Kings" story. I am attempting to keep him one hundred percent in-character in that, and some nice and juicy Gretelshipping will go down. ;P It is on hiatus right now, however that won't last forever, as I do intend to pick it back up and finish it sometime (hopefully soon).
I also have another Gretelshipping story in the works, although it will probably be a while before I actually have it worked out enough to post. However, if you're willing to wait, it'll be there eventually. XD
Wow, if you read all of that you deserve some kind of reward. I like to ramble, I guess. XD
One last gigantic thanks. I hope you enjoyed the story and continue to enjoy the lovely crackship that is Gretelshipping. I love you all and thanks again! I had a blast writing this! :D
~Poke-lover88