Crisp, copper leaves on the many clustered beech trees waved in the wind, some of which falling to the ground and swaying in the gentle autumn breeze. The smell of cinnamon candles burning filled the entire area. Many maple leaves already formed a path on the ground, creating a carpet of fiery colors of scarlet, gold, orange, and brown. Light was just starting to fade as the sunset spread throughout the entire horizon and a shy moon started to rise in the sky, accompanied by the shine of the first night stars, painting the sky in shades of glorious purples and blues. The sounds of night echoed through the land, the nocturnal pokémon awakening and beginning to sing their songs in hush-hush tones. The dew covered grass dipped and rose in the brisk, cool, wind, the rays of light refracting and bending against the transparent dew drops and streaming back into the sky. The mellowed richness of the environment and the overlapping, scuttling, pillared clouds were a perfect signification that the days were growing cooler and simultaneously shorter as the trees transitioned into a winter rest in preparation for the next season. It was adoring, peaceful, and relaxing while at the same time exciting, magical, and wondrous. A truly beautiful sight but many had already retreated inside for the night, settling in and readying themselves for the next day.
Murph exited the Ringtown Ranger base carrying and lugging three large suitcases out of the double doors, his Slowking levitating the remaining two suitcases with his Psychic. He had to hurry up and get to the port or he'd miss his ferry. And he was already running late.
Murph exhaled exhaustedly as he rested the suitcases down.
"Okay. Let's do a final check through, Slowking. Do we have everything?"
The Royal Pokémon also placed his suitcases on the ground with his Psychic. He shrugged his shoulders.
"Slowking?"
Again, Murph sighed. He struggled with the suitcases once again as he tried to lift them up.
"Whoa. Need a little help there, Murph?" a voice called.
Murph rested the suitcases down again and looked up. He saw a young couple walking towards him, arm-in-arm. The man had dark blue hair with teal highlights and wore a sangria red scarf around his neck. He had on an onyx sweater, blue jeans, and etnies Chaplin black dress sneakers. There was a Minun perched on his shoulder wearing a navy blue hat and a blue mini version of his owner's sweater. The young woman had turquoise blue hair and was wearing an ivory, loose turtleneck cashmere sweater, black skinny jeans, and white tennis shoes. A Plusle with a fuchsia miniature sweater identical to the one the Minun was wearing was perched on her shoulder.
A wide smile spread across Murph's face and he straightened up.
"Solana! Lunick! You're back!"
"Hey, Murph," Solana greeted with a smile of her own.
"How's it going man?" Lunick asked as he greeted his friend with a mid-five handshake.
"It's good. Always good. How was the cruise?"
Lunick threw his head back.
"Aww, it was great. Awesome. Totally awesome. We had such a great time. We so got our money's worth. The massages, the casinos, the food, the tai chi classes, the food, the full-sized carousel, the food, the Solarium pool, and oh my God the food!"
Murph chuckled.
"The food was good?"
"The food was amazing! Magnificent. Truly a work of art."
"Lunick scarfed down every single meal option course available – hors d'oeuvres, appetizers, entrées, soups, salads, side dishes, samples, entremets. Breakfast, brunch, lunch, tea, second breakfast, dinner, supper, elevenses, snacks, dessert. À la carte, buffets, banquets. I mean, every single morsel of food the ship offered, Lunick ate." Solana said flatly.
Lunick pounded his chest.
"Purely from a culinary perspective. I'll work it all off though in the gym later."
"I should hope so," Solana said as she playfully patted him on his stomach.
"Hey!" Lunick covered himself. "I'm sensitive there."
"You're sensitive everywhere."
Again, Murph chuckled.
"How did you enjoy it, Solana?"
Solana looked back at him.
"It was nice. I had a good time, though, I wished I could've spent more time with Lunick, who indulged himself way more than I did. He spent half the trip in the video arcade playing who knows what."
"Hey, I paid for it. You bet I'm gonna take advantage of everything they have to offer there. Besides, how could I not play classics like Pokémon Trozei, Sonic the Sandslash, Crash Bibarel, Jolteon's Journey, Metroid, Teenage Mutant Ninja Squirtle, and Darmanitan Country? What kind of diehard video gamer do you think I am?
Solana exhaled in annoyance.
Again, Murph chuckled. These two were so comical together.
A young woman with milk chocolate brown skin and ginger brown plaits could be seen coming from the Kisara Plains. She was wearing a short denim skirt and a red halter top along with some black and white sneaker boots that came up to her knees. Her eyes spotted the three rangers standing outside of the Ringtown Ranger base and she immediately squealed in delight before hastily running over towards them.
"EEEEEEE! Solana! Solana, girl!"
Solana looked up and she saw her best female friend approaching her. She too let out a very loud squeal and ran over to her. Plusle jumped on the ground near Lunick.
"Leilani!"
The two friends met midway and embraced each other, jumping up and down in the process.
Lunick shook his head knowingly and folded his arms and Murph smiled at the touching display of friendship as well.
Leilani pulled back and they both started gushing.
"Oh my God, girl! I can't believe it's you?! I didn't know you got back?"
"We just did!"
"Oh my God, girl! It's been forever!"
"Oh my God! I know! I have so much to tell you, Leil!"
"I do too! I'm lovin' that pastel cotton candy lipstick you got on, by the way. You have got to hook me up!"
"I will and I totally love your hair! What are these? Diamond Casama? Havana?"
"Big Senegalese twists. Got it done yesterday."
"Oh my God, they look amazing, Leil! The color is so beautiful on you!"
"Thank you, girl. And I see you finally took my advice and got your hair curled. I'm loving it! You rocking these gorgeous waves!"
"Oh, thank you. It took me forever to get it done but I love the end result. Ooo, I'm so happy to see you, Leil!"
"I'm happy to see you too! Oh my God, I can't believe you're back! We've got so much catching up to do!"
"So much!"
The two girlfriends squealed and embraced each other tightly again.
Lunick made a coughing sound into his hand and cleared his throat, effectively distracting to the two girls. He pouted and outstretched his arms.
"Oh, and what about me? I don't get any love?"
Leilani giggled and let go of Solana. She quickly ran over to Lunick and nearly tackled him to the ground as she hugged him fiercely.
"It's good to see you too, Lunick."
Lunick exhaled hoarsely.
"Can't breathe. Leilani, can't breathe!"
Leilani let him go and stepped back. Lunick put his hand on his chest beneath his neck as he tried to catch his breath.
"Oh, come on, Lunick. Quit being a baby," Solana said as she approached him.
Lunick straightened up.
"Oh…oh…My chest! It burns! I think…I think you cracked my back, Leilani."
"I thought you wanted some lovin'?"
"Not that kind of lovin'. Geez, Leilani! Who are you, Andrulla Blanchette? Exercise some restrain before you kill someone."
"Lunick!"
Leilani giggled.
"Naw, naw. It's alright, Sole. I got this…I'm flattered that you think I'm strong like a bodybuilder, Lunick, but that's what strength training does. Maybe if you exercised more you wouldn't be so…I don't know. Decrepit?"
"I exercise every day. It's not about being fit. It's about using that strength appropriately. You ever heard of a gentle giant? Even big strong guys know how to ease up and be gentle."
Leilani crossed her arms.
"Well, how strong can you be if a simple hug can leave you bruised?"
Lunick rubbed his back and straightened up.
"Please, Leilani. I can still take you on."
"Is that a challenge?"
"It's a guarantee."
Leilani smiled widely.
"Alright. You think you're so tough? I wager I can beat you in wresting, hands down."
Lunick flicked his hand and scoffed.
"Please, Leilani. Don't flatter yourself. You know you're no match for me."
"Oh, aren't I?"
"Besides, I don't fight women. It's boorish."
Leilani arched her left eyebrow.
"Oh really?"
"Yes, really. Leilani, I'm not gonna fight you."
"You know you'll lose. That's why you're backing out."
"What?! That is so not true!"
"Then spar with me. Come on."
"I don't want to hurt you."
"Oh, please. I'm a big girl. I can take care of myself. Besides, I don't think you need to worry about me. You're the one who's gonna get hurt."
Lunick gave an irritated sigh.
"Leilani –"
"Spar with me? Come on? I challenge you."
"I'm not gonna do it."
"'Cause you know I'm right. You'll totally lose."
"No, that's not –"
"Spar with me. Fight me."
"Leilani –"
"Fight me, fight me, fight me, fight me, fight me, fight me, fight me, fight me, fight me –"
"Alright!" Lunick screamed. "I'll do it! You wanna go so badly, fine. Don't say I didn't warn you."
Leilani made a fist.
"Aww, yeah! You are totally going down!"
"Not tonight okay? We just got back. I just wanna chill and relax for a bit."
"You just got back from a vacation. You should be fully energized already."
"Leilani, please. I'm already complying with your infantile frivolous request."
Leilani pouted and crossed her arms again.
"…Wuss…" she mumbled.
"Hey! Leilani!"
She held up her hands in a defensive position.
"Alright. Fine. Next Friday. At the gym. Be there."
Lunick rolled his eyes.
"Fine."
Leilani's smile retuned.
"So how was the trip? Yah'll had fun?"
Lunick opened his mouth to answer but Solana immediately cut him off.
"Oh please, Leil. Don't start us on that path again. I'll fill you in on the details later."
Murph's styler began to beep and he took it off of its holder on his hip and answered it.
"Murph speaking."
"We've got a situation. Larry's Swellow has gotten into a confrontation with a bunch of forest pokémon. It's not looking too good. We need someone dispatched to the scene now."
Murph scratched his head.
"Oh, Jenna. I can't right now. I gotta leave for the seaport."
Leilani pointed to herself.
"I got this, Murphy. Don't worry about it."
Murph nodded.
"I'm sending someone out to your location now. Send me the coordinates."
"Affirmative."
Solana started shaking Leilani lightly on her shoulder.
"Oh, can I come with, Leil? It's been so long since I've been on a mission."
"Sure, girl. I could use the company anyway."
Murph handed Leilani his styler with the coordinates to Larry's location.
Lunick frowned.
"Solana, I thought we talked about this?"
"Oh, come on, Lunick? It's just Larry's Swellow. We've dealt with missions involving his Swellow before. They're never too serious."
"But they said it's a scuffle. That means pokémon are battling."
"I'll be fine, Lunick." She insisted as Leilani handed Murph back his styler.
"Okay. Let's roll, girl. I have to pick up Lucario from the stadium anyway and Larry's not too far from there. The quicker we get this done, the quicker you can fill me in on you guys' love connection on the cruise."
Solana giggled.
"Alright. Let's go, Plusle."
Plusle ran over to Solana and scurried up her leg and perched herself on her shoulder. She waved bye to Minun as Solana and Leilani started walking away.
"Be careful, Solana."
"Aren't I always?" she replied back cutely as they got further and further away.
"Why you buggin' about Solana, Lunick? Is something wrong?" Murph asked.
"No, nothing's wrong. It's just she has to be more careful with her missions now." Lunick said as he continued to stare at the path Leilani and Solana had just taken.
"Why's that?"
He looked back at Murph.
"She's pregnant."
Murph's eyes bulged out of his head.
"What? Wha?…She's…"
Lunick nodded his head vigorously.
"Yeah. Yeah. She is." He said with a big smile full of teeth.
Murph shook his head in shock.
"Oh my gosh. How far?"
"She's about eight weeks. We found out when we were on the cruise."
His mouth still opened, Murph smiled and let out a shocked sigh.
"Wow…Wow, Lun. That's wonderful. Congratulations." He said as he extended his hand for a handshake.
"Thank you," Lunick said as he shook it.
"How's it feel?"
Lunick inhaled deeply.
"Um…Well…Terrifying to be honest. Haha. I don't know if I'm ready for this. I can barely take care of Minun. Solana and I barely had time to enjoy being newlyweds and all before this up and happened."
"Oh, come on. Don't sell yourself short, Lunick. You're great with Minun. Look at him. He's glowing with health."
Minun straightened up and started posing on Lunick's shoulder.
"Not only that, but you love kids, Lunick. Your students all adore you."
"Yeah, but they all go home after hours. I'm only responsible for supervising them while they're here. To take on another life and…and care for it…all on my own…I mean, I know Solana's here but she'll have her motherly instincts to go on. What will I have?"
"Your fatherly instincts." Murph answered plainly.
Again, Lunick sighed.
"I don't know, man. Don't get me wrong. The idea of caring for something and bringing a new life into this world…A little person…A little person that Solana and I created out of pure, real, unadulterated love, and being able to watch them grow and develop as a human being when they did not exist before is just…just…there aren't even enough words to describe that magnificent feeling…But it's also very intimidating. I'm not the brightest bulb out there, you know? And well…I have to wonder…Am I really ready to raise a child? Am I really ready for this big, colossal life change? I only just became a husband. Am I ready to be a parent? A father?…I'm just not sure."
"There you go selling yourself short again. You're a wonderful caregiver, Lunick. If the amount of time and work you've put into raising Minun isn't enough then look at Solana. I can't even count how many times you nursed that girl back to health and stopped everything just to make sure she was okay and had everything she needed. And you want to talk about not being the brightest bulb? Look at me?! I'm as dense as it gets and somehow I can still find some way to raise Slowking, who I'm sure is even smarter than me and doesn't even really need me at all."
"Slowking!" his partner scolded.
"Sorry, pal."
Lunick frowned again.
"You're plenty smart, Murph. Don't say that about yourself."
"What I'm trying to say, Lunick, is that you don't need to be a genius to be a good parent. There are plenty of intelligent people out there who do unintelligent things whose children end up suffering because of it. It's about heart, not smarts. And you got both wholly. You'll be fine, Lunick. You're gonna be a great dad."
Lunick smiled weakly and put his hands in his pockets.
"Thanks man. I suppose I can always go to Freddie and Leader for advice since they both have kids of their own already. I'll work it out. So, how's the representative position going for yah?"
It was Murph's turn to sigh.
"It's a lot of work. I mean, I didn't know being a PR representative and chief required so much gosh darn work. Why, it's even harder than being a field ranger. Going, traveling all over the place. I don't know how Professor Hastings did it."
Lunick chuckled.
"Well, he's not known for his hasty, rushing nature for nothing."
Murph shrugged.
"I guess." He looked down at his watch. "I'm actually supposed to be leaving for the ferry right now to Almia and meet up with him. I'm supposed to deliver some updated trainee stylers to the ranger school in Vientown. They're getting some new students there and they gotta run through these stylers to make sure they're ready for the students to use when they start school."
"How are the kids, by the way? They didn't give you too much trouble did they?"
"They're all fine. Rhythmi is coming along very well as an Operator, though she's constantly distracted and bickering with Linda, your other student Operator. I don't know why but they're always at odds. Rhythmi also keeps talking about this Isaac kid who works back in Almia for this energy based company named Altru Inc. all the time. I mean, she talks about him all the time. Strange. And Jasmine's doing well too. Everyone's fine but I'm sure you're more interested in that rambunctious Keith than anyone else."
Lunick tried to hide the smile that fought to spread across his lips. It didn't go unnoticed by Murph, though.
"You know he's your favorite."
Lunick shook his head.
"No. I love all my kids. It's just Keith…I mean, I know he's a handful but there's just something about him. He's driven. He's passionate. He wants so badly to become a Top Ranger and outshine his fellow classmates. Namely, this one girl back in Almia who is supposedly doing exceptionally well. What was her name? Kate? Something like that. The way he talks about her I actually think he's kind of sweet on her, with all his competitive jealousy. Anyway…Keith…He just reminds me so much of myself when I was his age. He wants to do good. He wants to help people. He and his partner Buizel are inseparable. He rushes into things without really thinking most of the time but his heart is always in the right place. Is it bad that I have a soft spot for him?"
Murph shook his head and smiled.
"No, of course not. But I must admit, he was difficult to handle. I don't know how you can operate an entire base all on your own without breaking down. I could barely do it for the month and a half I was taking over from you. I mean, I know Leilani and Percy helped but still…"
Again, Lunick chuckled.
"That's alright man. You stick to your strong suits and I'll stick to mine. I'm sure they have a bunch of stories to tell me anyway."
"So whatcha gonna do now?"
"Well….Actually I –"
"Leader!"
A young boy with scruffy brown hair and brown eyes wearing the Ringtown Ranger Base's uniform could be seen hastily running towards Lunick. A Buizel was running beside him.
Lunick's smile widened.
"Hey there, Keith. What's going on?"
The young boy started flailing his arms.
"Leader! You've got to help me! Buizel and I have been practicing like crazy for the past few weeks to get this routine down pat but we're still not nailing it! I know you just got back from your trip but can you please help us? Please?"
He clasped his hands together and got down on his knees as if he were begging Lunick for his life. His Buizel put his paws together too and begged just like his ranger.
Lunick's forehead creased as he looked at the two of them uncomfortably.
"Um…yeah, sure, Keith…Minun and I can help you out. But please…get off the ground, will yah? None of that is really necessary."
Keith's eyes sparkled and he quickly hopped to his feet.
"Oh, thank you, Leader! Thank you! Thank you! Thank you!"
"Bui Bui!"
"Buizel and I were training in the Lyra Forest. Come on, Leader! Let's go! I'll show that Kate yet who's the better ranger! Yeah!"
His fist raised high in the air, the young boy rushed out into the Lyra Forest along with his Buizel.
Lunick watched them go, shook his head, then looked back at Murph.
"I guess I'll be seeing you when you get back, Murph. Take it easy okay?"
"Same to you. And, uh, congratulations again, Lunick. Don't even worry about it. You and Solana are gonna be great."
Smiling, Lunick waved Murph goodbye before making his way over to the Lyra Forest to help out his prized student.
Murph watched him go but he was suddenly distracted by his beeping styler.
"Murph here."
"Murph, you blockhead!"
"Hi, honey. How are you?"
"Murph! I told you to pick up Meowphy from the clinic hours ago! The place is about to close down!"
"I'm sorry, honey, but I've been busy packing the new shipment to go to Almia. Time must've got away from me, I guess. I'll go pick her up now."
"Don't bother! I've already gotten her. Just make sure you pick up my mocha latté and bring it back before you leave."
Murph rubbed his forehead.
"Aria, I really don't have time to go. I've got to get to the docks before –"
"Excuse me?! Excuse me?! Murph, I asked you to do this hours ago! Had you not forgotten we wouldn't even be having this conversation!"
"But Aria –"
"Don't! Forget it! I'll just do it myself! I always have to do everything myself! Arg! Just don't forget to deliver my letter to mother when you get to Almia. I left it right there on the desk so you wouldn't forget. Don't you dare louse this one up too, Murph!"
Click!
Sighing heavily, Murph put his styler back in its holder and walked back inside the base, his Slowking following behind him. He looked over the various papers on the desk. It was a complete mess. He really didn't do a good job organizing the many various folders. He hoped Lunick wouldn't be mad at him for not properly filing the papers. Lunick was still Lunick and was still very chill in a sense about most things, but he was an Area Leader now and so he had to be more structured when it came to running the base and teaching his students.
Not seeing the envelope he was looking for, Murph walked behind the desk and began opening the cabinet doors.
"Come on. Come on. Where are you?" Murph mumbled to himself as he frantically searched through the various file cabinets. He would never hear the end of it if he didn't find that letter. Finally, he found Aria's letter underneath some blank tests Lunick had prepared to give to his students when he returned.
Excited that he had found the letter and in his haste to get to the ferry, Murph quickly snatched the white envelope, but his head hit one of the shelves behind the desk and he ended up knocking many of the papers and objects that were on Lunick's desk on the floor.
Cursing himself both out of pain and frustration, Murph rubbed his sore head before bending down to pick up the papers. As he gathered the papers, pens, stapler, and papers clips, Murph's eyes caught sight of a glaring object that had slid beneath the desk. Reaching underneath, Murph pulled it out and when he saw what it was he smiled widely.
It was a triple heart frame with three photos in each heart. The first frame was a picture of Solana, Lunick, Leilani, Freddie, Percy, and himself, all huddled together in a big group hug. That picture was taken soon after Solana and Lunick defeated Billy and Gordor and demolished the entire Shadow Pokémon takeover scheme. They had all gone out and were finally able to spend time together and hang out as friends for an entire day and they took this photo so that they would always remember that very special moment. Murph had one in his home as well as the other rangers because the occasion was just that special to them. The third photo was a picture of Solana and Lunick on their wedding day. Lunick was wearing a smooth, sharp tux with a light pink rose pinned to his suit jacket, while Solana was wearing a strapless, diamond white taffeta bridal gown, with diamond white satin full length gloves, and her hair was done up in elegant upcurls. She was wearing a pink rose flower headband where her veil fell down behind her. Plusle and Minun were both perched on their respective ranger's shoulders, Minun wearing a little bowtie and Plusle wearing a pink rose bow. They all looked so happy and Solana looked so beautiful and Lunick so handsome. It was a truly beautiful picture. And finally, the picture in the middle contained just a simple close-up picture of Solana and Lunick. They were both looking towards the camera but their foreheads were pressed against each other. They were holding hands and the ring that Lunick had given Solana when they first became a couple could be seen shining on her finger. They weren't wearing very wide smiles but they were still happy and cheerful. It was a picture of true love. They looked so comfortable. So content. On the bottom of the photograph there a small text inscribed. Under Lunick it read "She's the princess" and under Solana it read "He's the champion". At first, Murph didn't really understand what it was. It didn't appear to make sense and seemed like incomplete sentences. But underneath both those phrases in the center it read "Of my heart."
Murph turned the photograph over and there were words inscribed on the back as well. "If my love were an ocean, there would be no more land. If my love were a dessert, you would only see sand. If my love were a star late at night, you'd see only light. And if my love could grow wings, I'd be soaring in flight. Loving you could take my life, but when I look into your eyes, I know you're worth that sacrifice. The future for me is already a thing of the past. You were my first love and you will be my last. This love that clings to our hearts forever will never waver. Being deeply loved by you gives me strength but loving you deeply gives me courage. True love knows nothing of time, gender, race, or language. True love only knows that when the time is right, miracles are made and magic happens. It is not about how much we say I love you, but how much we prove you do. Thank you, my dear, for being my one and only true love. My sweet and precious boo."
A warm feeling filled Murph and caused his heart to swell. Solana and Lunick…They didn't look like the little kids Murph knew since he was a young ranger. In fact, they weren't those little kids anymore. They were full grown adults. All of them were. Their lives had changed so much over the years, for the better of course. He and Aria were married, Leilani and Percy were engaged, Freddie had a daughter he was raising, and Solana and Lunick were having a baby. Everything was just coming together so nicely for them all. What more could any of them want?
Murph's styler once again started beeping, briefly scaring Murph and causing him to drop the papers, tools, and pictures he was holding.
He took up the styler and answered it.
"Aria, I found the envelope. You don't have to worry."
"…Aria?…Aria? This is not young Aria. This is Professor Hastings, Murph!"
"Oh, Professor!" Murph said quickly as he struggled to place the papers and office supplies back on the metal table.
"Murph! Where are you, lad?! The ferry is going to leave any minute!"
"I know, Professor. I just got tied up here. I'm on my way to the port now."
"Well, get a move on it, lad, and put some speed on those feet! I've stalled the captain for as long as I can. It's an eight day journey and they want to arrive in Almia on schedule. And I don't need to remind you how imperative it is that we arrive there on schedule."
"No, Professor. You don't."
"Alright then. I'll try to keep them until you arrive but please hurry."
"Yes, Professor."
Disconnecting the call, Murph put his styler back on its holder and placed the remaining objects back on the table. He really was going to have to owe Lunick for keeping his workspace in such a terrible state.
He picked up Aria's letter and placed it in his back pocket. Murph ran his hand over the metal desk, looking at the pictures one more time before sighing and heading for the double doors.
"Come on, Slowking. Let's go."
"Slowking.
Murph exited the base and locked the doors. He struggled with the suitcases again as he lugged them down the road and made his way to the ferry port.
A stream of light from the moonlight slowly filtered through one of the base's windows and spotlighted on the center photo of Solana and Lunick. It highlighted one section of text that Murph previously had not seen.
And in your smile I see something more beautiful than the stars and sun. Let us weave our destinies together, our new life has begun. I am sending to you a Pidove, with a parcel on its wings. Be careful when you open it, for it's full of beautiful things. For you I will soar the sky, go over and beyond. For there is nothing that can triumph over our inevitable love.
A/N: And that, my friends, is the conclusion of Inevitable Love. I must say, this is a very special yet emotional moment for me. Bittersweet even. I started this story five years ago when I was fourteen years old and never did I imagine that it would become as successful and well-received and loved as it did, especially since when I first started it I had gotten no response at all for months until I got somewhere between the sixth and eighth chapter. And now five years later, I've gotten 99 favorites, 93 story alerts, and over 150 reviews. I am truly in awe and I thank all of you for sticking with me and supporting me through all of this. This story had started off as a simple, unending idea in my head and now it's manifested into something great. It is because of readers like you why I continued to write this story and others like it – because I know you want more and that you enjoy it. Really, I love and appreciate all of you and this has been such a magnificent journey.
But, even though this story has come to an end, these rangers' tales are not yet finished. As I said before, as a result of the tremendous success of this story and all of the love and support it has garnered, I will be writing two sequels and a prequel for it. Plus, there is also that Christmas fic I have been promising but because of circumstances outside of my control have not been able to upload it yet. But you do have these to look forward to. As I said, this story is only the first Book in a series, so I hope that will help some of you to feel better about this story's end. The next Rangershipping Book is called We've Come This Far, and it takes place three years after the events of this story (not including the Epilogue!). So that puts Solana and Lunick and the others at about 17 years of age. This next story will also be more mature, in that, it will deal with a lot of issues that teenagers like myself often face in life in addition to the action and fantasy of the pokémon world around them. I hope to keep it at a T rating but because Solana and Lunick would be clearly dating at this point and therefore, will face some things that couples usually face, there will most likely be some sexual content as well. So if it becomes too heavy for a T rating, I may have to change it to an M rating. But I assure you, the M will only be for sexual content (nothing gory or violent or anything like that!) and the sexual content will appear in a couple of chapters. The rest will remain fairly the same to the tone of this story. But I will let you guys know again as that story progresses.
As I've stated before, I have already started working on the next Book in the Ranger series, We've Come This Far, so hopefully that will be posted soon. Definitely before the end of the year and the Christmas Ranger fic as well. But I will say again that I will also be working on my other fic The Story of a True Hero, because like I said before, I have been neglecting this story and some other stories too in favor of Inevitable Love. But as this story is now completed, I think it's time for me to pay more attention to Wes and his tale from my perspective. So even though I will post the first chapter of the new Book soon, I can't say I will be updating the story as frequently as I have been doing Inevitable Lovelately. Of course, I will try my best to keep the updates coming within a reasonable time. I just wanted to let you guys know that they may not be coming in as fast as they used to.
So again, I thank you all, truly, from the bottom of my heart for supporting this story and for all the positive feedback. I really do value your input which is why I keep asking you all to review so that I can assess how I'm doing and how you, the readers, feel about the direction the story is taking.
Thank you again so much.
I love you all!
God Bless all of you!
Please don't forget to review!
Always Do Everything with Love.
Signing off of Inevitable Love for the very last time.
XyKPfan