Author's Note: After two long years, it's finally here! The final chapter of "Ideals of Darkness: A Pokémon White Nuzlocke". I never thought I'd ever get this damn thing done, but here it is! The big ol' finale to this long story! Surprisingly, it's actually five chapters shorter than "Tides of the Soul", which I thought would be shorter. Anyways, Happy Reading!
One week later, the day was a sunny November 15th. On Route 9 located on the outskirts of Opelucid City, I headed over to a section of the forest across the street from Shopping Mall Nine. My hair was back in its old low pigtails, only they were now curled for the event about to take place soon.
Although I wasn't wearing my green-and-purple cap, I was wearing violet-and-gold formal robes that fell past my ankles with the sleeves nearly covering my hands. In said hands was a bouquet of dark pink roses, which I had just purchased from the florist in the Mall. I walked over to Gummy's grave that was situated right next to Toothie's (which still had the former's BlackGlasses in front of the makeshift headstone) and placed the bouquet on it.
"Today's the day, you two," I said to the graves. "I'm finally the Champion. But, I thought I'd see two of the Pokémon who helped me get here in the first place before I'm coronated." Tears began dripping from my eyes, even though my smile never left my face. "Gummy, Toothie, thank you for everything you've done for me. I'm sorry you guys couldn't be here today, but I couldn't have done any of it without you two. I hope you two Luvdisc are doing okay up there. And before I go, I also wanna let you guys know that I'm never gonna stop missing you for as long as I'm alive. So, thanks for everything you guys have given me. Rest in peace, and see you again one day."
I bowed my head towards Gummy and Toothie's resting places before getting up off the ground. As if on cue, Alder found me and walked over to me, a hand resting on my shoulder and a smile on his face.
"Paying your teammates a little visit before the ceremony?" Alder asked.
"Yep. It's the least I could do for all they've done for me," I responded.
"I don't blame ya, Hynden. I did the same for Hermione on my coronation day. Sometimes, I still wish she could be here with me and her little Hugo all grown up. But, I know she's watchin' over us every day of her afterlife, and she'll never really be gone for good. I'd bet Gummy and Toothie are pretty proud of you now, Hynden."
"Knowing them, I can't see it any other way." I suddenly realized how late it was getting and told Alder to hurry up as I picked my formal robes off the ground to avoid tripping, despite black flats being on my feet.
We both ran through the border between Route 9 and Opelucid City until we found the metal stage situated in the center of the city. When I walked onto the stage with Alder, I looked through the roaring crowd of elated citizens. Among them were all of the Unova Gym Leaders (the Striaton Trio included, looking at me with warm smiles), Cheren, Bianca, and much to my surprise, my parents. To commence the ceremony, I called out the surviving four members of my Pokémon team, and they all stood beside me with two Pokémon on each side.
"Ladies and gentlemen," Alder spoke into the microphone, quieting the excited crowd. "On this very morning in November, we are commemorating our new Champion. Before last week, our fair Unova region was invaded by the nefarious Team Plasma and their true leader, Ghetsis. But, thanks to this young lady beside me, their misguided organization has now disbanded, and Ghetsis is nowhere to be found anymore. So, not only has Hynden conquered all thirteen the Unova League challenges, but she has also saved this region with hers and her Pokémon's brave efforts." Alder held up a black sash adorned with red and blue stripes high up into the air along with four honorary gold badges. He placed each badge on my four Pokémon as he said their names aloud before stopping at me. "With this sash, I hereby crown the new Champion of the Unova region! May the region flourish under your guise, Hero and Champion Hynden Levare!"
When the sash was placed over my body, everyone erupted in applause and cheers. Several camera shutters went off as I waved out to the crowd humbly. Just then, my teammates hugged me tightly with gratitude and bliss.
"We did it, guys!" I told them. "We're finally at the top! After everything we've been through, we're finally where we wanna be!"
The hug ended, and I walked off the stage and into the crowd. Several people asked to shake my hand and get a picture, both requests I consented to. I finally escaped the large crowd, and my eyes widened when I saw Mom and Dad waiting for me. I picked up my robes and ran over to them, instantly hugging my mother first.
"You guys made it?" I asked them. "I thought you weren't coming back until next month!"
"Well, we actually got a lot of stuff done sooner!" Mom answered, still embracing me and planting kisses on my cheek. "So, Lance let everyone go home this month!"
"That's great! I can't wait to see what you guys have been working on!"
"Wait a minute! What happened to your eye?!" Mom gasped, noticing the scar running down my right eyelids after pulling apart from the hug.
"What, this? Ah, this is just a little battle scar! I got it from N in a sword fight."
"You were sword-fighting?! Where did you get a sword? And where's this N guy?! I'm gonna make him pay for hurting my daughter!"
"I don't know where he is, Mom," I confessed, unsheathing Storm's Blade and showing her briefly before putting it back in the scabbard. "He said he wouldn't return to Unova for another two years. But, I swear, everything's fine! Unova's saved, I'm Champion, and Team Plasma's gone!"
"If you say so. I can see who's a tough cookie like her momma!" Mom chuckled before glancing back for a second. "Oh, and Hynden? I think there's someone who's been wanting to speak to you."
I looked to see where Mom was pointing with her thumb, and I sank a little when I saw she was pointing to Dad. I walked over to him sheepishly, looking away from him with the remorse still weighing down my heart. Taking a deep breath, I finally spoke to him.
"...I'm so sorry, Dad," I apologized, making full eye contact. "I should have never yelled at you or called you a cowardly liar. After I saw how Ghetsis treated N, I realized that I couldn't be more thankful to have you as my father. You were only trying to protect me because you care about me, and I snapped at you for that! I don't blame you for not wanting anything to do with me, but… can we at least make up?"
Dad looked at me and said nothing. Just as I was about to take his silence the wrong way, he didn't hesitate to pull me into a tight hug. I could feel tears streaming from his own gray eyes as I stared up at the sky for a moment before returning the embrace, a few tears leaking from my eyes as well.
"How could you ever say that I'd never want anything to do with you?" he wondered, sniffling as he wiped some of his tears away. "You're my little girl, and never once did I hate you for what you said! Yeah, I got angry with you, but I could never hate my only child! Besides, I was wrong to lie to you, Hynden. I should have been more trusting of you, but after our fight, I was afraid I'd severed your trust for good. I thought that you'd think I was as terrible a dad as mine was."
"No! I know now more than I ever did that you're not a terrible dad! I'll never think you're one ever!" I wailed, hugging my dad even tighter. "I love you, Daddy; I always will…"
"I love you too, sweetie. Never forget that no matter what."
As we pulled apart, my team walked off the stage to meet my folks. Mom and Dad looked at my Pokémon before introducing themselves completely. They conversed for a bit until another guest approached us, one I had encountered in the past in this same area.
"Kouichi!" Mom exclaimed, hugging her younger brother affectionately.
"Hey, Reets!" Uncle Kouichi greeted back. "Little Hynden over here told me you weren't coming back until sometime near Nico's birthday."
"We got things done early, so we just got back yesterday," Dad answered. "How've you been doing, Kouichi?"
"Pretty good, Nico! And now I'm even better now that my amazing niece is the Champion!"
"Aww, c'mon, Uncle!" I chuckled, flattered.
"By the way, Ritsu," Kouichi said, "did you visit Mom and Dad while you were in Johto?"
"Yep! They're doing pretty well!" Mom answered. "But, Mom says it's your turn to come visit her and Jared, and she told me to tell you not to keep her waiting."
"That's Mom alright…" Kouichi chuckled. "Yeah, I guess I do kinda owe her a visit. She did spend 23 years raising me, after all!"
"Guys, I've gotta go now," I said to them. "The team and I have to attend the special Champion's Banquet later on tonight, and I've got stuff to do before that."
"Okay, Hynden, we won't stop ya!" Dad said to me. "Try to find time to drop by later though, 'k, hon?"
"You got it, Dad!"
I hugged my parents and maternal uncle goodbye as I walked off with my team. There would be lots of stuff to do, so I had to prepare myself for that. In addition, I had finally come to a decision for my new position, but I knew I'd only be sure after I gave the Champion business a good "test drive" first.
A month later during a chilly December 8th afternoon (exactly two weeks before Dad's birthday), I called for an emergency League Conference at the Pokémon League. Today was the day I would tell everyone my big decision that I'd been contemplating ever since my final encounter with N Harmonia. When I entered the room, all the Gym Leaders and the Elite Four were murmuring with worry and confusion.
"Attention, Gym Leaders and Elite Four!" I called, getting everyone to settle down in the Conference Room as I took my seat. "Thanks."
"Master Hynden!" Marshal shouted in his usual loud tone, "What is the matter?!"
"Yeah, is everything alright?" Skyla asked.
"Yes, everyone, things are fine," I began. "But, as of now, there's going to be a huge change in things for a while."
"A change? What kind of change, Hynden?" Brycen asked.
"Everyone, ever since I became the 'Heroine of Ideals' that put an end to Ghetsis' little 'game', I've been thinking. After everything that's happened to me, what I've done and how things have gone, I finally made a decision."
"What is it, Hynden?" Lenora asked.
"Until I get things sorted through, I'm going far away to do a little 'soul-searching'. Basically what I mean is, I'm resigning from my current position."
"WHAT?!" everyone in the room gasped.
"I know it's a big change, but I still feel like I've got a long way to go before I'm the best Champion of Unova. If I don't do this, I'm bound to crack, and no one's gonna want that from someone they look up to."
"Are you ever gonna come back?" Elesa asked me.
"Of course! I'm only leaving for a couple years. In the meantime, I'm leaving my title to the person next in line."
"Wait, but Alder retired in November, so that means…!" Iris gasped, pointing to herself.
"That's right, Iris. I'm leaving you in charge until I'm ready to come back and reclaim the title for good."
Everyone looked at Iris with awe and surprise, but nonetheless gave her their utmost respects (especially Cilan, who congratulated her with a big embrace and a huge grin on his face). I told everyone I would announce it to the region later on in the day, so I dismissed the meeting. All of the Elite Four and Gym Leaders exited the room with the exception of Cress, who stopped me before I could leave too.
"Hynden," he spoke, "are you truly sure you know what you're doing?"
"Definitely. I'll come back and start a whole new adventure, but only after I sort things through with myself first."
"Very well, I won't stop you from doing what you need to. But… there is something I need to tell you before you go!"
"Yeah?" I asked.
"W-Well," Cress began, his cheeks beginning to flush as he toyed with his peek-a-bangs nervously. "From the moment we… collided, I've felt like you were special. Most girls who come to the Striaton Gym gawk and drool over me and my younger brothers because we're mostly eye-candy to them, and it gets rather annoying quickly. But, you were different; you did nothing of the sort. Not only are you a beautiful young lady, but you're also strong, determined, and passionate about what you love. S-So, ever since, I… I think I-"
I didn't let Cress finish his sentence when I placed a hand on his mouth. I gave him a simple nod, so he stopped talking when I took my hand off of his mouth. He looked at me with a raised eyebrow until I started talking too.
"I know, Cress," I admitted. "You made it a little obvious that you really like me, so it wasn't hard to figure out. I only knew it was true because Chili confirmed it."
"Damn it, Chili!" Cress growled angrily before sighing. "Nevermind, I'll deal with him later. Right now, how do you feel about it?"
"Cress, you're a great guy and you mean well. I really like you, but I don't like you in that way."
Cress' eyes that were once wide with hope fell with disappointment. I could tell that he wasn't too pleased with my answer, but he straightened up in a civil manner.
"I understand," Cress sighed. "I really wasn't expecting you to like me back, but at least you don't hate me. Especially after all Cilan, Chili, and I did…"
"Didn't you say you guys aren't the Shadow Triad anymore and you abandoned Ghetsis?"
"That we did, and we meant every word. We still hold some gratitude towards him for giving us the Striaton Gym since we reside on the upper level, but I still can't forgive that wretch for bamboozling everyone. I'm glad we're no longer a part of Team Plasma."
I gave Cress one last hug, and he returned the favor with somewhat florid cheeks. When we pulled apart, we gave each other a single handshake and exchanged friendly glances. After the two of us exited the Conference Room in the League Castle, Cress went his own way back to Striaton City.
"Morrow, come on!" I called, throwing his PokéBall and climbing onto his back. "We've got lots of things to take care of."
By sundown, everyone had known about my resignation and Iris' new reign after I publicly announced it that afternoon. I was in my Nuvema Town home, packing most of my things that I would need in the time I was gone. Walking down the stairs, I was greeted by Mom, Dad, Blaze, and Fergil.
"Come to see me off?" I asked them with a smile.
"As usual," Mom chuckled.
"Still can't believe you're goin' off for two years, kiddo," Blaze remarked, standing up until her X-shaped chest scar was visible.
"Surely, yer gonna come bahck fer a visit?" Fergil asked.
"Aye, Fergil!" I confirmed in his Scottish accent.
"Fergil's right," Dad agreed, pulling me into a hug. "If you can't visit, then at least find a way to keep in touch, 'k, Hynden?"
"I promise, Dad," I confirmed, pulling back after hugging him. "Though, your best bet is me calling since I'm not sure I'll get the chance to come over."
After hugging Mom, Blaze, and Fergil goodbye, I walked towards the door and opened it. Looking back into my house one last time, I smiled and took my luggage out the door. Morrow was ready for me outside, so I began strapping my luggage to his body. Just as I was beginning takeoff, Cheren (who had made a full recovery from his wound) and Bianca came rushing out, relieved that I was still here.
"Hey, guys," I said to them.
"Whew! Good thing we made it out here in time!" Bianca panted, "Cheren and I couldn't bear to not see you off!"
"I hope you use these two years well, Hynden," Cheren said to me with a cool smile. "Bianca and I are moving onto greener pastures as well."
"What kind of 'greener pastures'?"
"Well, starting tomorrow, Professor Juniper's training me to be her assistant!" Bianca announced.
"As for me, I'm going to start training to become part of the League," Cheren added. "I've given up on trying to become Champion, but I still promised myself I'd come somewhat close."
"That's great, you guys!" I cheered. "Maybe by the time I finish my 'soul-search', we'll meet again?"
"Here's to hoping," Cheren commented. "We wish you the best of luck on your search, Hynden."
Bianca pulled Cheren and I into a group hug, not letting us go for almost a minute. I stuck my hand out in the center of our triangle, and my friends placed their hands on top of mine. We lowered our hands to the ground before raising them up to the sky as we separated them. After Cheren and Bianca returned to their houses once one last goodbye was said, I climbed back onto Morrow and he soared to the sunset skies.
"Where to first, Hynden?" Morrow asked the moment we were far from Nuvema Town. "You said this was gonna be a nomadic thing."
"I heard there's two towns on the outskirts of the region," I answered. "According to my Town Map, they're called Lacunosa Town and Undella Town. We'll just stay between those towns and train there."
"Are we gonna recruit some new people?"
"Yep! The more the merrier! We can't just train with three Pokémon now that Jackie's retired. Whoever comes our way and wants to join is more than welcome!"
"I wonder how these two years are gonna play out for us…"
"Who knows? Only time will tell what's gonna happen in the future we've got ahead of us! Now come on, let's go! We've got around 730 days worth of soul-searching to do!"
With the sun still setting in the horizon, Morrow kept flying us north. In the air, my heart raced in anticipation and excitement at what was in store for us. Looking back on the main region once, I also started to wonder what would happen during the two years.
"Until next time, everyone," I thought. "When I return, it'll be the start of a whole new adventure!"
Total Deaths: 9 Pokémon.
Author's Note: Well, that's the final chapter! But, that doesn't mean Hynden's journeys are over quite yet! We still have one more tale to tell that's coming quite soon! It won't be another Nuzlocke, but it's still the next part! So, after two years, thank you all who stuck by me or even read this to begin with! Feel free to check out my other stories if you'd like! But again, thanks for everything, guys!